The Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Sower and our kids' growth determined by their personal "soil conditions".

"Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:3-9

The soil is everything for growth! Thankfully, Jesus goes on to explain this one out in more detail:

1. The seed along the path =  "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart." Matt 13:19

2. The seed on rocky ground = "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." Matt 13:20-21

3. The seed around the weeds = "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Matt 13:22

4. The GOOD soil = "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matt 13:23

Time for some gardening! The soil could represent different thing for you family and in your kids' lives. Maybe your kid's soil is rocky and it's going to take some extra time or discipline to properly break up that ground for a seed to grow. Maybe the weeds are the burdens of keeping up with school, their sports, extra curriculars that they are too tired mentally or maybe even emotionally to read their Bibles or spend time with God. As a result, they'd rather play video games or watch TV for that last or first few minutes of time for the day just to be okay. Maybe, their soil is GREAT! Maybe (and hopefully) their soil is and stays great and they are able to hear God's word, and you get to watch it grow into a beautiful large tree that produces the fruit (the results of their faith) for the world.

Take some time, let's pray and ask God to reveal the soil conditions of our kids' hearts. And hey, while you're at it, why not ask Him to reveal the soil conditions of your heart as well? Then, we can better know how to manage and tend within the garden of our kids' hearts. He will reveal it, don't worry. God can use you even if there is a really big rock or more weeds or birds than you would originally think or imagine there would be on the inside. The God that got the Israelites out of Egypt--- is the same God with you, today.