One spring, my neighbor planted morning glories in her garden. She dug a hole, dropped in some seeds, and covered them up with soil.
We had a rather dry spring and though she checked on the seeds from time to time, nothing happened to them. No sprout, no vine, no glorious blooms. She was gravely disappointed. “They must have been bad seeds,” she said.
Fall came and with it, more rain than usual, followed by a winter of heavy snows that lay on the ground for weeks. Spring was blessed with rain as well and when my neighbor went out to clean away the winter debris, she found to her surprise and delight, morning glories sprouting.
There are several hard-shelled seeds like morning glories and sweet peas, whose packages carry these special instructions, “For best results, soak seeds overnight before planting.” As well, you should keep soil uniformly moist until the plants are established. Though fairly drought tolerant, the morning glory likes a drink of water now and then.
My friend failed to read the instructions on the packet and then she blamed the seed. Nature stepped in and provided what she had not. The seeds germinated and happily, bloomed profusely all summer long.
Due diligence in most cases, brings us a quicker reward. What is due diligence? Fulfilling one’s obligations. In this case, it is following the directions on the packet. Soak the seeds overnight, keep the soil uniformly moist until the plants are strong enough to make it on their own. Enjoy their beauty.
You could apply those rules to many things in life: your giving, service to others, your profession, your family. Soak your little ones with love and keep them uniformly loved (watered, fed, protected) until they are old enough to make it on their own. Enjoy their beauty.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:10-12 NKJV
Betty Thomason Owens 
I am learning due diligence. God does reward it.
I love this post.
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