Source: themagnifyingglass.typepad.com via Melissa on Pinterest
Good Soil for the Soul
Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.
Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation
However, the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart,
who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering, produce a crop.
Luke 8:15 NIV
Carried by the wind, the tiny seed drifted like a feather over treacherous terrain. Heavier, larger, more impressive seeds, carried by that same swirling wind, fell on rocky soil or among life-choking thorns. Constantly in peril from hungry birds, scorching sun, or barefoot children, the tiny, seemingly insignificant, seed gently floated to the ground and made its home in good, soft, nutrient-rich soil. In time, that tiny seed grew into the largest garden plant, exploding with color, offering shade and beauty to the entire garden.
Eric Carle’s book for elementary-aged children, The Tiny Seed, illustrates the possibility of even the smallest seed growing into something of beauty and health. But, as all good gardeners know, it all depends on the soil.
Jesus is the Good Gardener. He knows the soil of every heart. His parable of the seed and the sower makes it clear to us that the soil needs to be ready for the seed before it can be welcomed, take root, or produce a crop.
Our grandchildren might have many good seeds planted in the soil of their lives. The cares and disappointments of life, however, threaten to choke out, overshadow, or simply eliminate some of those good seeds. Miraculously, the tiniest, most insignificant seed often can root itself into the good and noble soil of their hearts and sprout faith and character.
As grandparents, we have the privilege of working alongside the Gardener and helping to cultivate the soil of our grandchildren’s lives with seeds of kindness, listening, and/or time. Let us remember, the littlest seed can produce a great harvest.
Let Us Pray that . . .
God Himself would soften the soil of our grandchildren’s heart. (Mark 4:8)
their hearts will be tender and receptive to God’s Work. (Luke 8:13)
they will retain the good seeds planted at home and at church and persevere in their faith.
(James 1:12)
God would guide us as we plant seeds of kindness, patience and faith into the soil of our
grandchildren’s lives. (Ephesians 4:29)
we will never forget that even the tiniest seed we plant can bring a great harvest. (Luke 17:6)
Heavenly Father,
You are the Good Gardener. I pray that you would prepare the soil of my grandchildren’s hearts, and that they will be open and receptive to you and your Word. Lord, I ask that you would direct good people to walk along the path of their lives, people who will plant good things in their hearts. Help me, Lord, to scatter good seeds generously and with kindness, patience, and prayer. Help me to notice and appreciate the good and noble characteristics of their hearts and affirm those qualities aloud. I also ask you to help each one to persevere in his faith. Amen.
Think and Do
Read Eric Carle’s book, The Tiny Seed. Note how his story on the life cycle of the seed
contains many of the elements of Jesus’ parable. Brainstorm with your grandchildren about the
importance of small things.
What are some small things that you can do for/with your grandchildren to show your love?
(for example: read them a bedtime story, go on a walk, bake their favorite cookies)
Are you a gardener? You might enjoy Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots: Gardening Together
With Children by Sharon Lovejoy.
What tiny seeds of faith, hope, and love can you intentionally plant in your grandchildren’s
lives? How can you model the importance of small steps of faith?
Plant some seeds with your grandchild – Check out the pintarest link above and get some ideas for planting sees in egg shells! It is an inexpensive learning activity that your grandchildren will love.
