The Flip Flop Barnyard tells of the great patience gardening requires. From ordering seeds to harvest, many days can pass, with much time waiting to move from stage to stage of the gardening process. Any Gardner knows it takes much patience to produce great tasting vegetables and beautiful flowers. Planting has to take place in the spring, cultivation through the summer, to enjoy the harvest of the fall. Seeds do not become abundant crops overnight.

Like gardening, life can require much patience. Scripture encourages, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8).

Waiting can be hard; we don’t like it. This may hold especially true when we are awaiting answers to our prayers.

We’re praying about our need, yet it seems the Lord is not hearing us. Maybe we’ve spent hours pacing the floor, tears flowing, as we pray, but the answer still hasn’t come. If so, this passage encourages us to stand firm, and keep on praying. James goes on to remind us our prayers are both powerful and effective.

Our prayers will be answered. It may not be in the immediate timetable we desire, but the Lord does answer.

Remember, Gardeners have to wait all season before harvesting a crop, but the sweetness of the fruit is worth the labor of their patience.

Be patient and stand firm.