I love this time of year. I have so many seedlings sprouting. It’s amazing. But there is no certainty that the seeds I plant will grow into anything. Trust me, there is no certainty.
Did you know that there are over 60 passages in Scripture about planting seeds, sowing, or reaping? It’s true. When we see the trees, grass, flowers sprouting all around us, these are still the perfect metaphor a couple thousand years after they were originally penned.
Every time we share with our kids about Jesus – we plant a seed.
Every time we pray with our kids – we plant a seed.
Every time we read scripture with our kids – we plant a seed.
Every time we memorize scripture with our kids – we plant a seed.
Every time we show loving forgiveness to our kids – we plant a seed.
Every time we serve out of love for Jesus with our kids – we plant a seed.
Every time we experience the love of Jesus with our kids – we plant a seed.
I’m so thankful that the growth of these seeds doesn’t depend on my gardening skills, but rather on the good, good master Gardener. Dads and Moms, grandparents, aunts and uncles, choose to plant seeds.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul writes, “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, (in fact, it was Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, who taught Timothy as a child) and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
Timothy had seeds planted in childhood.
In fact, God has been reminding us to share with our kids for thousands of years. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says, “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
Talk about them. Repeat them to your children. Plant a seed.
Talk about Jesus. Love Jesus. Live out the message of Jesus.