Planting seeds

We had a great time on vacation at Lutherlyn’s Family Camp last month. We spent time with friends old and new, marveled at God’s creation, made crafts, sang songs, and ate good food. Each full day ended with worship and campfire together, as we reflected on the day’s theme and praised God together in ways both serious and silly. 

While I loved singing and doing the hand motions to all the songs during worship and campfire, it was much harder to get Wade engaged in what was going on. He sat on a chair or, more often, crawled around on the ground, refusing to stand and sing along. I have to admit that I was a little frustrated. I dreaded the argument every day about why we had to go to worship and why he couldn’t instead go to the jump pillow or play with toys back at our cabin. Each evening we dragged him along, and let him sit. Every so often I’d look over with a smile, inviting him to join in the singing, letting him know he was welcome either way. 

That next weekend, after we were back at home, Wade and I sat at the dining room table working on a craft together. As we worked, he started singing - Mighty, Mighty Savior, and Fill My Cup, and Pharaoh, Pharaoh - all songs we had sung again and again at worship and campfires the week before at camp. All those songs? The worship, the messages about God’s powerful, marvelous love? He had heard and internalized them all, even though it seemed like he wasn’t paying attention. A seed had been planted in him, and under the soil, unseen, it took root and grew. 

Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash

One of my favorite scripture passages about growth in faith comes from 1 Corinthians 3:6 - “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” In this portion of the letter, the apostle Paul is responding to conflict about which leader was best. He goes on to describe how we all work together, playing different roles, but, ultimately, our foundation and growth are from God.

During Vacation Bible School this month, we’ll be hearing the parable of the sower. In this parable, the seed of God’s Word is scattered, and some seeds land on the path, or on rocky soil, or among thorns, or on good soil. In our own families, and in our church family, each of us has a role to play in spreading the seed of God’s word - sharing stories, providing opportunities for learning, passing on faith. We bring our children to be baptized, worship together, read Bible stories, and sing songs. And while we plant and water and nurture, we remember that growth comes from God alone. We trust that the Holy Spirit is at work, even when that growth is slower than we expect, happening in unlikely ways, or hidden from our view. For our God whose love is persistent and life-giving, we give thanks and praise!