Today my ears perked up in grad class like they never have before.Suddenly my professor-person was speaking about how a farmer should prepare and care for the soil of a field. Sound familiar?
She explained that an old proverb teaches that the first two years of the land should be spent in barrenness. The soil merely waits in anticipation of what is to come. By this waiting time of preparation, the soil becomes rich with nutrients, although nothing is visibly apparent.
In the third year, she explained, the farmer may begin planting and sowing. But, of course, the farmer must be patient because good growth takes a while to cultivate.
She gave an example of a bamboo plant which, once planted, still needs three more years of quiet contemplation before it will even take action. But, when it finally does (which takes place in the 5th year), the entire plant will sprout up 60 feet within just 5 short weeks.Most likely she was trying to make the connection to our investments in students as being something for which it may take a long time to see growth.
Here again, the Divine Conductor presents me with the same meditation for what is now the 9th encounter since March. I am encouraged, yet also a bit frightened. I hope I am a plant other than bamboo!
Dear God, please help me to grow upwards!
