IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

'It will be worth it': HGTV's Joanna Gaines on sowing seeds in children's hearts

Joanna Gaines, star of HGTV's "Fixer Upper," knows more than home renovations and design; see her touching post about parenting.
/ Source: TODAY Contributor

In a viral Facebook post, Joanna Gaines of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" shared a personal revelation about parenting she recently had after her daughter, Emmie, told her about a special visitor she has every morning.

In the post, which has now been liked (and loved and "wow"ed) 441K times, Gaines wrote that five years ago, she planted an Adonis blue butterfly bush outside her daughter's bedroom window in the hopes that it would attract butterflies for her to see. Then, like most parents might, she promptly forgot about the bushes, busy with the daily distractions of life, work, and parenting, and she never told Emmie about them.

Never miss a parenting story with TODAY’s newsletters! Sign up here

Then recently, Gaines found Emmie sitting by her window "looking excitedly at the bush and saying,'Here she is! My little hummingbird comes every morning, Mom!'"

Gaines had not realized that Emmie had a bird that she considered "hers" who visited her every day, and she realized she had never told Emmie about the bush.

"It's hard not to think this is a lot like parenting," wrote Gaines. "You sow seeds early on and work hard to be intentional and then over time you move on to new lessons and challenges. Then one day, you look up, and the seeds you planted in your little children's hearts are now in full bloom." Be encouraged today to keep pressing in and tending to their hearts. It will be worth it."

Gaines's thoughts are resonating with thousands. Among over eight thousand comments on the post are responses from parents of young children, grown children, and those who are not parents at all.

"Such a sweet reminder to all of us, even those who aren't parents!" wrote commenter Vicki Groth Rice.

"Every day we plant seeds — our choice as to what kind they are."

Others were grateful for those who had done the same for them.

"The seeds my parents, grandparents & Sunday school teachers planted in me years ago are still alive and thriving," commented Susan Hauser Andrews. "Even after they have passed. I am forever grateful."