Sod v. Seed

Okay. . . I admit it after blogging about growing grass previously. . .

I am much more a fan of rolling out sod than planting grass seed and waiting two years to see the lawn mature.  We finished rolling out the last little bit of sod In our front yard last fall, and it was the greatest feeling to finally see the lawn take shape. 

Sod does give you an instant yard, but there’s still a lot of prep work to be done before you roll it out. Emma and I had to first kill what was there, then rake the ground, and then remove all the debris. Next we had to put down a couple of inches of good dirt. Then we had to get the sod. Next we rolled it out and make sure that it was snug against the other pieces. Finally, I cut it to make sure that the contour matched where it met the mulch and the street.

The lure of sod is the idea that you just simply go buy it and then roll it out. Done that way, some of it might make it, but a lot of it won't be able to take root. Plus if we don't remove any of the debris and rake the ground beforehand, there will be an unevenness to it. 

It is the same in our spiritual life.

Sometimes, we need to simply plant grass seed and wait. Other times we need to do the hard work of prepping the ground and note that, in God's efficiency, He is more than fine to roll out the spiritual sod if that’s what’s best for our “yard” in that moment or season. Carefully watered and left alone for a couple of weeks, it takes root and has the immediate desired effect. 

Sometimes God wants to change us slowly as things need to get planted, watched over, and cared for. Sometimes, God is ready with the sod truck to make an instant change, so that we can move on to other things. The key is getting in touch with whether it’s a season for sod or seed.

If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. 

Habakkuk 2:3 (The Message version)

 Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.

Matthew 7:7 (The Message)