notesbynora

There are seasons in life when everything feels dark and hidden. The dreams we once held close seem to fade. Prayers go unanswered. Opportunities slip away. We look around and wonder, “Lord, what happened?” It can feel like we’ve been buried — pushed down, covered over, forgotten.

But what if we haven’t been buried? What if we’ve been planted?

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” — John 12:24

A seed doesn’t grow on the surface. It grows in the soil — in the dark, in the waiting, in the unseen places. When it’s first covered by dirt, it looks like the end. But beneath that surface, something sacred is happening. Roots begin to stretch down, life begins to stir, and before long, a shoot breaks through into the light.

I’ve had times in my life when I’ve felt like that seed — hidden, uncertain, waiting for God to show me why things had to happen the way they did. But as the years have gone by, I’ve learned that the dark seasons are not wasted seasons. They are often the most transformative ones.

When I was walking through pain, disappointment, or loss, I didn’t always understand what God was doing. I just knew it was hard. Yet looking back, I can see how He was strengthening my roots — deepening my faith, humbling my heart, and preparing me for something new. The very moments that felt like endings were often beginnings in disguise.

The difference between being buried and being planted is purpose. A buried seed is forgotten. A planted seed is expected to grow. And friend, God has not forgotten you. You’ve been planted with purpose.

Maybe you’re in a season of darkness right now. Maybe it feels like you’ve been pushed down by life’s weight — grief, rejection, change, or uncertainty. Take heart. God is at work beneath the surface. What feels like isolation may actually be preparation. What feels like loss may be the very soil where new life begins.

In time, what’s been planted will rise. The waiting will give way to growth, and the sorrow will turn to joy. You’ll look back and realize that God never buried you — He was planting something extraordinary within you all along.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that I am planted, not buried. When I can’t see what You’re doing, help me to trust that You are growing something beautiful in me. Strengthen my roots in faith and hope, and give me patience in the waiting. Amen.