Scripture Reading: Matthew 13: 31-3
“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man takes a mustard seed
and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of seeds,
but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree..
Matthew 13:31-32a
In the movie, “Boyhood”, there is a scene in which a mother is talking to a young Hispanic man who is working on removing some drainage tile from her backyard. Almost as an afterthought as she starts to leave, she suggests to him that he is a very intelligent man who ought to consider going to college. She even suggests starting at the local community school as it is less expensive. Later in the movie, and some years from this scene, she and the family are eating in a restaurant when the young man comes up to the table and thanks her for the guidance. He has gotten his Associate degree and is working on his Bachelors and has become the manager of the restaurant.
It is worth noting that every day we are influencing others around us, planting the seeds of our attitude, our behavior, and thoughts. Most often we do so without consideration of the impact on the people we encounter. Yet, like the woman in the movie, we may be planting a seed that sprouts into a major life change for someone. At a minimum we can impact how they experience that day as we affirm and support them, actions that blossom into a larger result than we might imagine.
I have a friend who makes it an action to thank people for their smile, be it a waiter/waitress, bank teller, or sales clerk he encounters that day. I have watched how much this seems to make a difference with their own attitude in that moment. It is a small seed that yet may transform someone’s entire day. I know a woman who composes and sends thoughtful cards to people facing either challenging circumstances such as illness, or celebrations for an outstanding achievement, and I have heard from those people how much that meant. Small seeds that blossom into major impacts.
So, let us today reflect on how we might plant some positive seeds of life and love, that which is the Kingdom of God, in the life of others.
Reflections 