Good Seeds

Have you ever been on the receiving end of another’s good deed that simply left you speechless?

 In times like these, I ponder how intricately purposeful the Father is when it comes to showering love on His children.

 I think fondly back to last summer, when my very good friend, Donna, followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I was enduring a difficult season, and Donna sent me a pick-me-up box at just the right time.

 And, let me tell you, God is always in the details! This particular care package was filled with small gifts that represented things close to my heart. They also had been specific answers to prayer, and because I hadn’t shared these heart thoughts with her, she had no idea just how much this simple gesture would mean to me!

 Then, later that week, while checking the mail, I discovered an envelope addressed to me, containing $300! My only response to this generosity was simply, “Lord, why is this happening? What have I done to deserve this?”

 And the fact of the matter is, I have done nothing to deserve it. This was merely God taking care and blessing His children through those who love the Lord.

Creative Seeds of Good 

God created the world with both delicate and bold designs. He took such great intention in how things would ebb and flow and the connection this world would have with one another. Furthermore, God created us to wholly step into our creativity, not only in art but in loving others.

Galatians 6:10 in the Passion Translation says,

“Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!” 

It is easy to get caught up in thinking of the most efficient and generalized ways to serve one another. But can I encourage you to think outside of the box?

Do you have a special gift that would bless someone else?

Maybe you are an artist or a photographer looking for a way to bless a single mom?

Did you see an encouraging post on social media that brought to mind a friend you haven’t talked with in a while?

Did you come across a gift while running errands that made you think of a specific person?

That may very well have been the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

You see, God is so personal and intentional that He uses those who are listening.

However, busyness, strife, and fatigue can prevent us from hearing His prompts.

If you feel that you haven’t heard from God in a while, take some time to seek His face and get quiet before the Lord. Then, ask Him to reveal how He can catch you up in His story of delighting the ones He loves.

Finding Encouragement in the Weariness

 A while back, my husband and I were getting settled into our seats on an airplane. Unfortunately, on this trip, we were sitting in two different rows. The gentleman next to me noticed that my husband and I were separated, and he volunteered to swap seats with my husband so that we could be together.

 Now this man was heavyset, and when he switched seats, his rear end pushed up against another passenger’s seat tray, and water spilled everywhere. I felt terrible because he was trying to be nice and plant a good seed for another and was now left embarrassed from the incident.

 As he sat down, I heard him mumble, “That’s what I get for trying to be nice.”

 Have you felt that frustration, too?

 All too often, many of us have the same sentiments as the man on that airplane. We feel taken for granted, or we experience bad things when we do good things for others, and quite honestly, it leaves us feeling weary.

 We must be mindful and obedient to take every opportunity to do good, regardless of the weariness and tiredness that it may bring.

 If we go back one verse to Galatians 6:9, it says,

“9 And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!”

What a wonderful author of our hearts God is! He knew that planting good seeds would leave us feeling discouraged and weary, so He sent a little encouragement for our journey.

Take heart, sister; in due season, in a beautiful season, in a timely season, in the perfect season, you will reap a harvest, and it will be abundantly more than you could have asked for.

As you seek the Lord today, who is one person He has put on your heart that you can bless and encourage?