Planting Seeds of Faith: Lessons from the Garden

by Tabitha Turner, Kids Director

Every year, I can’t wait for spring. I love the warm weather, the fresh feeling of clearing out all the clutter during spring cleaning, and seeing nature come alive with baby animals and blooms. But the thing I look forward to most is starting my garden. There’s nothing like being outside on a gorgeous Saturday morning, clearing the yard, prepping the soil, and planting seeds for veggies, flowers, and herbs that I know will bring joy to our family all season long.

When my kids were younger, the garden was our thing. They loved going with me to pick out seeds and supplies at Tractor Supply, and we made a whole event out of it. Once the garden was planted, they’d rush out every day to water and check for signs of growth. Some years, we ended up with more vegetables than we knew what to do with; other years, it was a complete disaster. But honestly, the harvest didn’t matter. What mattered was the time we spent together—laughing, talking, and just being.

One year, while we were planting seeds, I decided to share something a little deeper with my kids. “You know,” I said, “we all have a seed planted in our hearts. Not like these,” I laughed, holding up a packet of cucumber seeds. “It’s a seed of faith—something God puts there, waiting to grow.”

They looked up at me, curious, and I kept going. “When we believe in Jesus, it’s like planting that seed in good soil. But just like this garden, it takes care to grow. We water it by reading the Bible, we give it light by praying, and we pull out the weeds—like bad habits or distractions—that can get in the way. And when it grows? It changes everything. It fills our lives with love, joy, and hope.”

I’ll never forget the way they listened, wide-eyed and so still. It was one of those rare moments where the chaos paused, and we connected on a soul-deep level. For the rest of that season, the garden became more than a chore. It became a way to talk about faith. Every time we pulled weeds or watered the plants, we’d talk about how God helps us grow too.

That year, the garden thrived—and so did something in their little hearts. I still look back on that spring as one of the sweetest memories with my kids. It wasn’t just about planting a garden; it was about planting something eternal. And even now, every time I see a tiny sprout push through the dirt, I’m reminded of how God works in us, patiently growing something beautiful.

Tabitha Turner is the Kids Director at Lowcountry Community Church.