If you’re a regular reader of the Ewellogy, you know that I read Heather Holleman’s blog daily and use her ideas from time to time. Last Thursday she wrote about the dill seeds in her herb garden. Here’s some of what she said:

While watering the garden this morning, I noticed that dill plants have sprouted up everywhere: in the pots, by the tomatoes, around the border of the vegetable garden. The dill was supposed to stay neatly within its raised boxed garden by the fence. Dill does not listen. Dill does not obey.

I didn’t account for wind dispersing all the seeds. I didn’t think dill seeds would float everywhere and take root. It made me consider how we’re not supposed to be everywhere, go everywhere, do everything. Even though we can, we don’t have to (and perhaps we shouldn’t). God sets the boundaries of our lives and our callings, and just because our seeds could take root in all sorts of places—and even become exceedingly fruitful—it’s not always right. It’s not what God has ordained. I think about this. I want to listen. I want to obey and stay where I should.

…I uprooted the misplaced dill and sent it back to its home. I will have the most beautiful and bountiful dill garden—safe and cozy in its home near the brown fence. – Heather Holleman, May 20, 2021

That’s one application: listen to the Spirit, and don’t go where you shouldn’t.

Here’s another application: John 3 – the wind is the Spirit, and he blows where he wants to.

[Jesus said, ] “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3.8, ESV)

It’s possible that pastors and other leaders have ideas about where their “seeds” should be planted – and want them “safe and cozy,” perhaps within the walls of the church. (Please see my blog on May 18.)

As a leader, I should be open to God leading people into places different from what I had in mind. As a seed, I should be open to blooming where I am planted. 

Heather isn’t wrong – she’s talking about dill seeds. We just have different applications.

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom…” (Matthew 13.36 – 38, ESV)

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11.19 – 21, ESV)