I love Sunday School! And so do my kids. Each Sunday when we go to pick them up, they have stories to tell and Bible verses to share. “Do you know about the lady with the crooked back?” was the first thing out of Faith’s mouth this past Sunday. “Jesus made her straight.”
I smiled knowing my little girl was being steeped in the Word of God. This Sunday Faith planted a seed. I believe it was a lima bean. She had a little cup decorated with all sorts of stickers and her name. “I put three in there,” she told me excitedly, “You have to put it in the window.” We came home and selected just the right spot for three little seeds to grow.
After Faith’s Sunday nap, she came bounding down the stairs. She ran to the seeds and on her tippy toes took the cup down from its “growing spot.” With expectant eyes, she peered over the top of the cup. “Why is there not a plant?” she asked.
“Well,” I explained, “We have to water it and give it time to grow. These things take time.” It didn’t matter what I said. Each day she has believed that any period of her absence from these plants might have made them grow. She checks them all day long.
I chuckle as I watch her but know I am the same way. There are people in my life in which I plant the seeds of Christ. Each time I see or hear from them, I am peering anxiously into their cup to see if there is any growth. Often times, I am discouraged and impatient when I can’t see a thing.
Yesterday, Faith went to spend the night at my parent’s house. In her absence, I watered her little seed and went to place it back in the “growing spot.” But as I placed it back, I saw something through the side of the clear cup. Way down under the soil, the little white lima bean seed had sprouted, and although there was no visible sign of the growth above the soil, there was growth beneath the surface.
And it gave me hope.
The seeds that I have planted may be growing under the surface. I was reminded of the words of Paul:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
So, until I see the sprouts, friends, I will continue to peer expectantly over the side, patiently waiting.
Oh Carol…You can’t imagine the excitement in our house yesterday morning. ML’s plant from Sunday hasn’t sprouted yet, but the one from last Wed. in the “Tide lid” has. It is fully up over the top of the container and she is sooo excited. Like Faith,she has checked it everyday. Thanks for this lesson in what we can learn from our little girls.
Oh Man, I totally loved this. How true is that? That one sows and another reaps! What you said today has also given me hope. Thank you so much!
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve read in a long time.
AAAHHH, the things we can not see!!
Carol~
What a precious…precious image. God is SO faithful…to give us sweet examples like this.
Have a BLESSED DAY.
Kim~
Your post today is a word straight from God to my heart, Carol!
There is someone in my life, so dear to me. And I know the seed has been planted. I know without a doubt it is there. And for years I have been peering in that cup, not understanding why there appears to be no growth. Oh, thank you.
I have been praying for this person even more heavily recently, and through my blog, I have even been able to share my heart without this person feeling like I am preaching at him. A line of communication has been opened.
And your post today encourages me that God is doing some “root” work right now. And that work is so essential! Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I needed this word today!
I love it.
I bet Miss Faith can hardly contain herself when she sees that little glimpse of growth!
oh, carol, so wonderful as always. i think this applies to so many areas of my life…seeds in my kids, my marriage, my relationship with Christ, with unbelievers….
thank you for blessing my night!!
love
jess