The Chastening of the Lord

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord. (Proverbs 3:11)

The seeds of certain. . .desert bushes must be damaged by a storm before they will germinate. Covered by hard shells that keep out water, [they] can lie dormant. . .for several seasons. When heavy rains finally bring flash floods, the little seeds are banged against sand, gravel, and rocks as they rush down the slopes. Eventually they settle. . .where the soil is damp. Able to absorb water through the nicks and scratches they acquired on their downhill plunge, they finally begin to grow.

Sometimes Christians are like those seeds. Although the heavenly Father never allows His children to suffer needlessly, sometimes He lets us experience nicks and scratches that let the water of His Word seep in and soften our hearts.