Thank Goodness for them there Seeds!

A sower went to sow some seeds...... Matth.13:1

When I was very young and heard the beginning of this parable I would just giggle and giggle to myself- because it sure sounded like a tongue-twister to me.

In these later days of my life, I listen more closely to the story. I read it and re-read it and am taken aback by something. Jesus tells us various things that have happened to the seed, but says little about the seed itself.

Perhaps those hearing the story initially completely understood the seed = the word of God. Perhaps in these days, it's important to focus more specifically that seed... the Word.

In other parables there is 'good' seed and 'bad' seed. In this story it is understood that the seed is indeed Good - worth sharing, worth spreading, worth cultivating, worth devoting time and effort to. So it is with the Word of God - worth sharing, worth spreading, worth cultivating, worth devoting time and effort to. The Seed has inherent worth. In fact, it even has worth if the birds eat it up, has worth even on rock or among the thorns. Its worth, however, is expedentially greater if it finds fertile ground, sinks down roots, springs up and bears fruit (and even more seed) for nourishment and the further propagation of the seed.....

With intention, our minds and hearts, our spirits and our wills can be that fertile soil in which the Word of God may find welcome and take root. And the fruit of that Seed will be apparent indeed.

Come to think of it, the Bible is the one packet of Seeds that has no expiration date, no ideal planting time, no restrictions to access or success. Thank Goodness for them there Seeds!

Ain't it the Truth!

I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. Romans 7:21

The two travel with us, don't they? In the cartoons it's the halo sporting angel on one shoulder and the pitchfork toteing trickster on the other... just in earshot with a whisper, of course.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! It is a choice, of course. One or the other.

Now, I'm not one for that hard line that the flesh= evil thing. There are certainly times when I would admit to substituting the word "feelings" for the word "flesh". My feelings can get me into a whole bunch of trouble.... by 'feeling' sad, or lonely, or depressed, or unloved, or unappreciated, or undeserving I am tempted to do something that will dispel, diminish or stiffle those not-so-good feelings.

My conscience tells me that certain things are right, deserving, inherently good--- and that doing those things, noticed or not, is well- just the right thing to do. Putting in a full day's work is the good thing to do, whether a promotion is on the horizon or it is not. Thinking of others and attending to their needs is a good thing, whether it can be reciprocated or it cannot.

Maybe it's a matter of taking your "I"s off of it.... when God is at the center of things, rather than you as the focal point of your universe, there is less tension. If your acts of honesty, kindness, appreciation, dedication, courage are God-inspired and come from a place of gratitude, there is less conflict.

I have been very fortunate to come across beautiful, simple souls as this. Their pure hearts, generousity of Spirit and sheer faith are exquisitely eloquent. Look around you to find a role model to study.... you will be able to see it in their lives, in their faces, in their eyes.....

....to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6