Are planting and burying the same thing?

​Colleagues,
 
Yesterday I shared a cartoon and discussed being intentional about planting seeds instead of just burying nuts. My colleague, Dr. Robert Maddox, noted that sometimes we try and plant seeds, but if the soil isn’t fertile, no matter how hard we try, the seeds may not grow.
 
His comment got me to thinking about what it means to intentionally plant seeds. It begins with intention, but then what?
 
If you want to intentionally plant seeds, try these things:

1. Check your own motivations. Sometimes we get caught up in wanting people to be more like us so we try and plant seeds that won’t work for them, instead of figuring out the seeds they need. Planting a seed should be a gift. The seed needs to match the need of the person. 
2. Nurture what you’ve planted, but don’t work too hard. You can’t make the seed grow faster. It will grow in its own time. Certainly, you may water and fertilize through encouragement. Maybe you’ll even need to provide a stake for support, but you can’t make a seed grow faster. Just be patient but consistent with your care.
3. Don’t give up. Some seeds take a long time to germinate. Some plants grow mainly underground, so the changes can’t be seen until much later. Have faith in yourself and in the person you are working with.

 
The first point has always been the hardest for me. What about you? 
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick