I’m Seein’ Red!

Remember a while ago when I wrote about my little garden’s progress? Well, just about a month later, that little budding tomato I pictured is finally maturing…and I am seein’ red! I thought it was never going to happen this year. What an odd weather spring and summer it has seemed–at least for gardening purposes. But here is the first sign that we are actually going to have real red tomatoes!

Now if you will indulge me I am going to wander off on a short rabbit trail about how tomatoes taught me a lesson.

I have been reading a book off and on lately that occassionally grabs my interest. Recently something the author said stuck out to me. It was in regards to change and being hopeful and gracious with ourselves. She was talking about an attitude patience concerning waiting for evidence of the seeds of change that I have planted to grow.

When I planted these tomatoes and the very first green shoot poked up through the soil, did I look at it and say “that doesn’t look like a tomato!” and pluck it up? Nope. I was excited that the first evidence of growth had finally appeared.

So the thing is that I am supposed to look at myself that way too. Instead of looking at myself and seeing that the seeds of change I sow are barely (and slowly) popping above the surface, and have not yet yielded me the fruit I had hoped–I am supposed to show the same hope with myself and eagerly look for every small evidence that the change is growing. Well, this simple concept actually resonates with me. And instead of beating myself up for not becoming whatever I expect of myself fast enough, I am gratefully noting even the smallest evidences of change now. I have to be as patient with myself as I have been with my little garden this year (well, probably a lot more patient with myself).