By Mark Andrew Beach

I first learned about the Law of Gestation from John Cannary. He said, “There is a season to sow and a season to reap, but we never do both in the same season.” Makes sense, right? Most farmers could teach us that principle better than anyone. You don’t see them pacing their fields day after day, checking to see if the seed they planted yesterday is ready to harvest today. That would be ridiculous—they know the process, and they trust the timing.

The Law of Gestation teaches us that everything—every living thing, every creation—has a male and female in every kind, requires a certain amount of time to grow. There’s a natural order: someone plants the seed, someone nurtures it, and when the time is right, someone harvests it. Sometimes that’s three different people. And sometimes, especially in the pursuit of a goal or dream, you wear all three hats yourself.

This law has taught me a lot about patience—something I still struggle with. I can’t count how many times I’ve set something on the stove to boil, checked it five times in two minutes, and felt baffled that it wasn’t ready yet.

I remember waiting for the birth of my first child. I used to talk to her through the “wall” of her mother’s belly: “Aren’t you ready yet?” I’d tease. “Come on out—I can’t wait to play with you.” No matter how eager I was, no matter how often I asked, she came when she was good and ready. Every one of my children did—each of them right around that 40-week mark, like clockwork. That little tradition of playful coaxing became something sweet between us, but the timing? That wasn’t mine to decide.

That same principle applies to goals. My former investment banking coach—who’s taught me more than a few hard lessons—often reminds me to “be peaceful,” to “step back,” and “let the pilot fly the plane.” In other words: stop trying to force it. Let the process unfold. Trust the law.

That’s not easy for me. I pray for patience… and I want it right now! (Sound familiar?) My family crest has the words “Tout en bon heure” at the bottom—French for “All in good time.” I can’t help but wonder if God’s trying to teach me something about that.

But the Law of Gestation is more than just a hard lesson—it’s also a beautiful safety net.

Our thoughts are powerful. Once we plant an idea—especially one we believe in—Laws like Perpetual Transmutation and the Law of Attraction immediately go to work, gathering the resources needed to bring it to life. But what if it’s a silly idea? Or worse, a harmful one? That’s where Gestation comes in to protect us.

My mom always says, “Be careful what you pray for…” And she’s right. If every thought we had instantly became reality, we’d all be in trouble. Thankfully, there’s a built-in buffer—a grace period—that gives us time to refine our desires before they materialize.

Can you imagine if every passing thought became real on the spot? Picture it: blue elephants running eastbound down your street. (Oops—too late, you thought it!)

The Law of Gestation gives us the time and space to course-correct, to mature our ideas, and to let the best ones take root. All in good time.