Seeds

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Let anyone with ears listen!" - Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus loved to teach using metaphors, which is why we remember his stories so well. They stay with us, and surface in our memories when we least expect them. We ponder them and perhaps even think about what they might mean in our lives. “Let anyone with ears listen!” Indeed!

The story of the sower (above) surfaced for me as I was out for my walk one morning last week. What is it that the sower sows? What is the seed that the sower distributes freely on the ground? The reason for your hope? Good cheer? A friendly greeting? A bit of happiness and optimism with which to start the day? It could be anything, couldn’t it? It could be any gift you have to share.

What do I have to share? Joy? Hope? Love? Peace? Good cheer? A friendly greeting? A bit of happiness and optimism with which to start the day? Perhaps it is time to scatter a few seeds.

I see a certain farmer getting into his tractor; he always seems to be so grumpy. I wave and call “Good morning.” He knows I saw him, so waves back but turns away. Hmmm…not very fertile ground there it seems. I walk on.

Soon I see another man sitting on his front porch. “Good morning,” I say. “Nice morning.” He appears to think that over since it is already hot, but then says, “Yes, but I’m hoping for a little rain.” I think he probably needs it.

Soon I am met by a lady walking her dog. Usually I am wary of dogs on the street, but this one looks friendly, and besides, I want to try out my seeds. “Good morning,” I say. “Out for a walk with your beautiful dog!” “Oh thank you,” she replies. “She is, but she is very friendly and just wants to be loved.” I stop to pat the dog and talk to her for a moment. The lady smiles appreciatively and then moves on, but both she and the dog seem to have a happy smile. Perhaps my seeds have finally found fertile ground.

As we go throughout our day, lets look for chances to plant some good seeds today, okay?

Posted by Carman