The Parable of the Two Tomato Plants

It is funny how nature can sometimes remind us of things the world would rather we forgot.

As a baby beginner gardener, earlier in the season I experimented with starting some tomato seedlings in addition to the tomato plants I bought from the store.

As it turns out, these little seedlings had a little life lesson wrapped up in them.

Ya see, a few weeks ago I transferred some of the seedlings to some repurposed pots I had laying around.

However, I did not have a pot for ALL the seedlings, nor did I need/want 40 extra tomato plants.

So I just let those sit in the seedling tray because… truth be told… I forgot about them.

Two weeks later and my poor forgotten seedlings look rather sad.

However, right next to these poor things are the same seedlings, that were transferred to their own pots with room to grow and soil to flourish… and that made ALL the difference.

The SAME Seedlings.

Originally planted in the same soil, same tray with the same seeds.

Yet only two weeks later they look like two plants from two different universes.

One had fertile soil and room to grow. One did not.

And here’s the thing, no one ever would look at the small seedling that is just barely surviving and blame it for not thriving.

Yet the world likes to make us believe that if we ever struggle or have a hard time, it is all on us…

But sometimes, dear reader, we are just doing our best given circumstances beyond our control…

It can be anything.

Bad news at work… a health scare… lingering grief… an upsetting phone call… a frustrating conversation… worrying about a loved one… or fill in the blank with your own (worst mad libs ever).

I guess my point is… if you are ever having one of those days, just remember to maybe give yourself a break.

If I were a betting woman, I’d bet you are doing your best given the soil you find yourself in that day.