Growing a tree and a friendship.

Our family did not grow traditionally, we are blessed to have one of our daughters through the gift of adoption.  We have a pretty open relationship with both of her birthparents and often exchange letters and gifts through the mail.  It's been a newer exchange with her birthfather and our friendship is growing strong. He is a neat guy and truly loves our sweet girl.  His most recent gift is very reflective of this friendship.....a Genuine Tree Seed Germination Kit....for a Giant Sequoia!  AKA:  Sierra Redwood or Big Tree.......climbing to heights of more than 300 ft.!  They have trunks up to 36ft in diameter! YET their seeds are among the tiniest in the tree world. (sound familiar?) 

They are a hardy species and can grow in a surprisingly wide range of climates.  The can says, "100% guaranteed, Just add Water and Sunshine".  As our friendship with our adoptive extended family grows, I pray that our sweet girl will grow strong in her relationship with her birth family as well.  That we all will grow tall and wide with love and care for one another.  Sometimes it's hard to share her and I want to hold her tightly in my hand....but then how will the water and sunshine come in?  How would she ever reach her full growth potential?  Figure out where you have heard this seed story before?  How about that mustard seed?  I have faith that the Master Gardener, who grew our family and brought this sweet girl into our yard, will shine on us and water us sufficiently......100% guarantee of growth and hopefully, many birds will perch in our branches.  

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches"  Matt. 13:31-32

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you"  Matthew 17:20