The Long Haul: Faithfulness When the Fruit is Slow
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🌿“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Every garden begins in hope—but it’s sustained by faith.
This week on the Rooted in Grace Podcast, we’re stepping into Part Three of my book, Rooted in Grace: Covenant Relationship. If Part One was about opening your eyes and Part Two about offering your hands, then this final section is about yielding your heart.
🎧 Listen to Episode 15: The Long Haul →
God’s Timing Cannot Be Rushed
In gardening—and in life—we often want quick results. But God’s kingdom works in seasons. Just like you can’t force a tomato to ripen before its time, you can’t hurry God’s promises.
Abraham waited decades for his promised son. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness. Jesus Himself lived thirty hidden years before His ministry began.
Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “At the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
The waiting seasons aren’t wasted—they’re where God is forming deep roots.
Roots Take Time
One of the hardest gardening lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t rush a root system.
Roots grow best when they’re given stability and stillness. Overwatering, over-tilling, or fussing too much can actually harm the plant.
And our souls are the same way. God invites us to abide in Him—“I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5)—so that our roots grow deep, unseen but strong.
Faithfulness Over Flash
The world celebrates quick wins. But the garden teaches us that the repetitive, ordinary work—watering, weeding, tending—forms something much deeper than flashy growth.
Paul wrote, “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Faithfulness may not look glamorous, but it’s what builds resilience and lasting fruit.
Gardens Are Meant to Be Shared
The very first garden, Eden, was created for communion with God and with one another.
When we share our gardens—through extra produce, seed swaps, or simply inviting someone to walk the rows—we’re stepping into covenant community. Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us to encourage each other, and the garden is one of the sweetest places to do just that.
5 Holy Practices for the Long Haul
- 🌱 Plant what you may never eat — invest in legacy.
- 📓 Document the journey — journal, pray, take photos.
- ✂️ Let setbacks shape you — pruning forms, not fails.
- ⏳ Lean into rhythms — small anchors create resilience.
- 🌿 Trust that slow is sacred — hidden growth still bears fruit.
Rooted Questions for You
Take a few minutes to journal or pray through these:
- Where in your life are you being called to persevere, even when results are slow?
- How has staying rooted—physically or spiritually—shaped you over time?
- What rhythms keep you grounded during hard seasons?
- What kind of fruit are you hoping for—and what might lasting fruit look like instead?
- How do you remind yourself that quiet faithfulness matters when no one sees?
An Invitation: The Prayer Garden Challenge 🌿
I’m so excited to share something new with you: the Free 6-Day Prayer Garden Challenge!
Together, we’ll walk through my G.R.O.W.T.H. framework to create a simple, sacred space where your faith can take root and flourish. Each day includes a short teaching, a Bible reflection, and a practical step. By the end, you’ll have a prayer garden—whether it’s in your backyard, on your patio, or even with a few pots.
✨ It’s free to join, and I’d love for you to be part of it → [link to sign up]
💖 More Ways to Grow with Me
- Take the Garden Quiz → southernsoilsunshine.com/quiz
- Follow on Instagram → @southernsoilsunshine
- Join our Facebook community → Rooted Jesus Girls
You are not behind. You are not too late. You are not lost. You are right where you need to be. And the real garden God is cultivating… is you.
