Our route to church includes a section we call “the rock cut”. It is a small stretch where the hillside was carved out to make the road. The result is a clear view of sedimentary rock. From time to time, road engineers will clear this area of fallen rocks, trees that have grown up on the hillsides, weeds, and even a stray wild flower or two. They scrape away the rocky sides so it is safer to drive through this area and all vegetation disappears.
This was done a year or so ago and “the rock cut” has been a clear rocky surface again. This year as spring has been in full bloom, I noticed that the rocky hillsides are once again covered with green. Weeds are abundant, small trees have taken root again, and the sandy color of rock is disappearing under the growth of green vegetation everywhere. It is a cycle that continues over and over again.
Recently on the way to church it reminded me of the parable of the sower in Mark 4. The seed in our rock cut has not grown up quickly. Last year there was barely a shadow of green here and there, but by the end of this summer hues of green will be nearly covering this area once again. Clearly, it is not a 
soil that is friendly to seeds and yet they persist.
As I look at the area and freshly consider the parable, I see how tenacious the weeds, trees, and flowers are. They keep on growing and pushing into the soft sedimentary rock to take hold.
We often hear sermons about this parable and consider the condition of the soil, but on our rock cut and on numerous trips to the Rocky Mountains I have observed things are growing and coming to life in tiny crevices. It reminds me of the power God has given to living things. They keep on trying to grow, to find a way to continue, to bloom.
Yes, many of the green plants I saw will not thrive, but I have watched this cycle for a long time and I know that road engineers will need to return again and again to undo what is growing and causing rocks to loosen and tumble toward the roadway.
Whatever may be happening in your life, whether it seems to be parched, nearly dead or flourishing with blooms abundant, know that when God called forth life on the earth there was great power in that call.
Whatever the difficulty may be, life will continue in cycles and seasons and seek to bloom again.
He is still calling forth life in His creation, in you, in me, in all of us.
What beautiful and encouraging words! Something I needed to hear at this particular time. Thank you so much for linking up with #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty and sharing them!
Thanks, Teresa, that is a blessing to hear! When I write something the Lord leads me to share, I always pray the words will be life-giving and from Him (even if it is for only one person who reads them).
Thanks so much for sharing with us at #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty. I’ve pinned and shared on social media. Catch you at the link up next month!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
Thanks so much!! I LOVE your site title “sizzling toward sixty”!!!💕
Thanks Pam for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.
Such beautiful photos & thought provoking words! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
The never-ending relevance of Jesus’ parables never ceases to amaze me! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! Always a pleasure to have you!
Tina
Thanks, Tina! Your comments never fail to encourage my heart!
I loved this post. Your analogy that God is always creating life was a light bulb moment for me. When times are difficult it is easy to think, “why me?” But your analogy is one to remember. This too shall pass and there is a lesson in every trial. Thank you for sharing with #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty. We greatly appreciate your participation and I have shared on social media.
Thanks so much, Clearissa! It can be easy for all of us to forget our lives are to be about God’s glory and instead get lost in focusing on ourselves and our issues rather than His grace for us and that He is trusting us with the tests we face.
Beautiful photos and lovely sentiments, Pam. Thanks for sharing on #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.
~Christie