This spring I planned a big surprise for my neighbor who is directly behind me. Last summer she put up with an irrigation problem I had behind my garage which was very distressing for her. When the whole thing was finally resolved I thought she deserved to look at something nice in its place for this summer.

Since she had often admired my sunflowers, I decided to plant a big patch behind my garage – directly into her back yard. I diligently prepared the soil, pulled all the weeds, worked in fertilizer and planted. Then I watered and watched for the seedlings to sprout. But they didn’t. We had plenty of rain and it is a full sun area but each day I looked to no avail. (Of course new weeds had no problem coming right up!)

I have decided not to give up. I still have another packet of seeds which I was going to use in my own back yard. I refuse to accept this barren state of affairs so I am going to re-seed.

I am reminded of how much this is like prayer which appears to be unanswered. We pray diligently, we do all the right things and then we watch carefully and expectantly for the answer and the soil looks barren. It looks like we planted in vain. But that is not the case, especially if we have prayed according to the Word of God.

God reminds us: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

Have you sowed a prayer and have not reaped? Re-seed!