Luke 8:15 – But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 11:6 – In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (NRSV)

I started teaching church school at the age of eighteen, and continued teaching children for many years. I have been fortunate to watch my earlier students grow up and become productive citizens in the community and leaders in their churches. This has been a pleasurable thing for me. It gives me the feeling my words and efforts fell on good soil, sprouted, took root, and grew.

Of course, I know my words were not the only influence in their lives, but the possibility is there. In later years, some have thanked me for my efforts, which is really all a church school teacher expects. There have been a few in my classes who have fallen by the wayside. I have prayed for them, and consoled myself with the thought that not all seed sprouts, grows, and matures, but some falls by the wayside. I have also taken comfort in the fact that, though I sowed the seed, I was not responsible for the watering and the nourishing.

We are called to sow the seeds of faith. The seeds we sow along life's highway may sprout when we least expect them. Those that bloom and produce a good harvest are our pleasurable rewards, not our productions.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the seed that sprouted, grew, and produced for Your kingdom. Help us to continue sowing seed, spreading love, and being good examples to those who touch our lives. Amen.

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