Are you sowing good seeds?

Every year when I hear the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) it makes me think about the seeds that I am sowing in my life and the lives of others. The thing I have learned about growth is that I have no control over the rate or the harvest. I can only plant and nurture.

I can use the small flowerbed in front of my house as an example. For many years, I planted flowers each spring with the hopes that they would come back. For one season they would provide color and bring me joy, but not be back the next season. I’m not good at the pruning/getting ready for winter part.

About 20 years ago, I planted a small lavender plant. It has grown and perfumed my front walk for that time. I planted lavender plants several times in a different spot and it never took root. Those plants did not thrive. I can’t explain it- the ones I planted in a different spot had better sunlight and better soil than the one in front. What’s the difference? I cared for them in the same manner and one thrives when the others did not.

It’s all about what we pay attention to and nurture. I pass the plant by my front walk each day and breathe in the calming sent of lavender. It brings me joy to see the bees and the butterflies come and visit. My plant is in turn nurturing other beings, it’s being passed on.

When I look at my life, am I being intentional about what I am doing/being/studying? Am I spending enough time pondering the things of heaven or the things on the Earth? How am I reflecting that out into the world.

Each person can be reflected in the parable at different times in life- sometimes the seeds take root right away and sometimes they do not. We can often choose how that’s going to play out or how receptive we are different times.

I encourage you to read the parable this week and reflect on which particular situation fits you in this moment. Next, decide if that’s really where you want to be and take a step in the direction that you would like to go and what seeds you are sowing in the world?