“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit” Mark 4:26-28
Is the seed God planted within you growing and bearing fruit? Have you been nourishing it with the proper sustenance?
I remember a conversation with my dad some time ago. One of my daughters loves any and everything about nature. We decided we would buy some seeds and plant them in a pot and watch them grow. I was telling this to my dad. In our conversation, I remember telling him that I don’t have a green thumb. His response was that it isn’t a matter of a green thumb or not, it’s making sure you give it attention and water the plant.
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My lesson from that conversation with my dad and from the gospel reading today is that we have to give our bodies – heart, soul and mind – the proper nutrients for the seed of God to grow in us to build His kingdom. It is through the proper ingredients of prayer, the Bible and the church that the seed will grow into abundant fruit by the will of God, just as the land yields fruit.
One thing I am discovering within is that the more I provide nourishment to the seed in my heart, God reveals a disorder internally through turmoil whirling around externally. As He reveals this disorder through the Holy Spirit, He guides me in unpacking it or as my spiritual director says, guides me in peeling a layer of the onion. Lately, it seems I have a lot of layers to peel and sometimes it feels exhausting. The one truth I do know about each time I unpeel a layer is that I learn the roots of sin and lies that are buried within me. God gives me the grace through the Holy Spirit to illuminate my mind, stir up my faith and trust that God will grow His love within me through the tiny seed He planted during my creation. The more layers I unpeel the more fruitful branches grow within and the closer my relationship with God is.
Do you feel that you are growing daily in your relationship with God or do you feel you are growing further away? Are the branches in your life bearing fruit or are they withering away? Are you nourishing your mind, heart and soul with the right ingredients to grow the tiny seed within you into a massive tree where others can dwell in its shade?
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Nurture this seed that God has planted within you to flourish and by the will of God, you will be a vessel in your community and family – pouring out generosity, love and the Word of God.
One last thought on this day where we honor all fathers, remember that it is also important to equip our children with the ingredients to grow the seed God planted within them so that they too may nourish it and produce healthy, fruitful branches within.
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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