Planting good seeds in 2021

One of our seven grandchildren had a very different wish list for Christmas. Leo will be six years old this month, and when his grandmother, Lisette – he calls her Meresette  – asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he said, “Seeds. I want seeds.” 

Leo is fascinated by plants, bushes and trees, a budding green thumb, for sure. He marvels at the miracle of a seed planted with faith in the earth, with the hope that it will soon break through its cover of soil and begin shooting skyward in the form of a sprout on its way to being who knows what? A fruit? A vegetable? An herb or a flower? 

Leo has taught me something important about gardening. The darker the soil, he says, the richer the nutrients, the better the hope the seed will grow fully to the potential that Mother Nature has destined for it.

No doubt 2020 has been a mess. Some have lost loved ones, and I’d bet we all personally knew people who have been taken by the virus. Our lives have been turned upside down and for many the future is uncertain. But are there little seeds of hope buried under the weight of the dark soil of the year that has just ended … seeds that have the potential of blossoming forth and making 2021 a good year, a better year?  

Said differently, have there been silver linings in the storm clouds of 2020? One newspaper asked readers to share these seeds of hope, these silver linings that were discovered in 2020. Here are some responses. 

This from a mom: Our four children are now distance learning. I appreciate teachers more than ever!

This from a new parent: Like many others, I was made to work from home. Because of that, I was able to see my 1-year-old son take his first steps. I would have otherwise been at work.

This from a wife: The one good thing that happened this year is that after 47 years of marriage I learned to appreciate my husband. My husband is a quiet man, a reader and bird watcher who takes pictures of clouds. Some might think he’s dull because he doesn’t talk much but listens and smiles. I, on the other hand, have lived a life of overcommitment  book clubs, volunteering, political action, adult classes and social clubs. My frenetic life ended in March when I became shut in with my husband. Not dull, but interesting. Not rushed, but calm. We’ve marveled at the night sky and named the butterflies in our garden. We share books, bake bread and walk our dogs. The clubs, concerts and crowds have disappeared, and I have found serenity and companionship with my loving husband, the perfect man I married long ago when I was too busy to notice.

This from an animal lover:  One good thing about 2020 is that pet adoptions are way up. People who are isolating need companionship, so they’re fostering and adopting dogs and cats in record numbers. 

This from a wife and mother: For much longer than we initially expected, we all slowed down. We saved time on our commutes, many of us picked up hobbies never thought possible because of the time commitment.  We graciously waited as co-workers figured out their microphone issues. Families and partners experienced a new mundane that became the new normal, and young adults across the country found themselves home with mom and dad.

This from a voracious reader:  So many books, not enough time, has always been my go-to excuse for not reading more. This year, so many good books and lots of time.

And this last one: One good thing about 2020: We learned what we can do with less, and many times do without.

The Gospel writers tell us that Mary reflected and pondered on the events of her life, many of which were chaotic and challenging. So maybe we should begin the new year by reflecting in our own hearts and identifying a few good things that have come out of the chaos of 2020. 

These are the seeds of hope that bring us the promise of a better year to come, which though unpredictable, can be a year of great grace for all of us.  They can sprout into our being more loving, more compassionate, more attentive to and appreciative of others, less attached to material things, more spiritual and more resilient in our faith.

Put another way, these seeds  like those in Leo’s little garden  can help us reach the potential that God had destined for us.

Happy New Year! 

DEACON BORNÉ is a deacon assistant at St. Jean Vianney Church in Baton Rouge and a media consultant for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.