I was taken by an article in this morning’s Star Tribune. The headline read: ‘A Noah’s Ark for Seeds.’ The article reported on the vault that was being inaugurated today that will hold seeds for the Earth’s plant life, protecting them from earthquake or nuclear attack. Situated of the northern coast of Norway, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a ‘backup to the world’s 1,400 other seed banks.’ This inauguration was to be attended by about 150 guests from 33 countries. The vault is owned by Norway, cost $9.1 million to build and was built in less that a year. It is reported that ‘even if the air conditioning failed, the permafrost would keep the seeds cold for 200 years. The good news: other countries can deposit seeds for free.

It was a fascinating story built on a concept I simply never had imagined. Someplace, somewhere, someone is gathering seeds and keeping them safe. Just writing that makes me feel more hopeful about….well, everything. I may sounds silly but it is true. The idea that there are people who care for the world’s plant life enough to do this is reassuring. Granted this plant life is probably made up of mostly seeds that grow into plants that feed us and sustain us  and so we have a vested interest. Their survival is our survival. But don’t you think the people who care enough to do this, also threw in a few wildflower seeds…daisies or Indian paintbrush, a sunflower seed or two, some prairie grass? How could it not be so?

After I read this article I sat for awhile and simply thought about seeds Earlier I had been looking through the Farmer’s Almanac at all the planting schedules, checking over which of the upcoming weeks it will be safe to plant seeds outside in various parts of the country. Seeds….those tiny little promises of so much….good food, heart-stopping beauty,brilliant color, rich abundance, of simple heritage and strong tradition.

I wondered…..is there a place in that vault for other seeds we want to ensure will never be lost, that need our protection? Seeds of creativity….seeds of faith…seeds of love….seeds of compassion….seeds of loyalty…seeds of trust…seeds of justice….seeds of hope. 

Somehow I think the people who built the vault, who watch over the seeds, carried the dust of all those unseen seeds with them as they did their work. I am grateful for their vision.

"He also said,"With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."  Mark 4:30-32