Parable of the Sower

Spring came, and my husband and I cleared a field because we wanted to grow some vegetables. We prepared the soil, removed the stones, leveled it to conserve water, added manure to ensure a rich crop, and then planted our seeds: rows and rows of potatoes, beans, corn, red beets, and zucchini. We waited with confidence, anticipated with pleasure, and watched with joy for the first signs of a rich crop to appear. We weeded and protected each plant and watched them grow. They were beautiful! I imagined the rich harvest we would enjoy and looked forward to the healthy food our field would produce. June passed.

July came with high temperatures, and my plants had already reached maturity. Imagine my disappointment when I realized the maize had aged before its time, and the beans had blossomed but did not bud. The pumpkins had lost their fruit after reaching only a few centimeters in size. And the potatoes dried up before they could bloom.

I felt very sad and wondered, What could have gone wrong? Was it the drought or the soil? Too little manure? What can I do so it does not happen again in the next growing season? I remembered the parable of the sower. I must find the answer in that story, I thought to myself. It took me a few days to understand the message God had for me in His Word. I realized that the soil in our garden did not have enough nutrients to bring the plants to maturity, despite our best efforts to fertilize it, because it is clay soil and not naturally nourishing to plants. Though they had developed and flourished and looked beautiful, they did not bud. So close—but not close enough. What about my heart? I wondered.

What kind of soil is present? How many nutrients does it receive daily? Does it bud and bloom, producing fruit? Do I receive the Word that enriches me in bearing love, forgiveness, and patience? Do I still love, even while living in a world where love grows cold and lawlessness multiplies? Help us, God, to gather Your Word into our hearts so that we do not sin against You. Help us to bear a rich harvest and rejoice in joy, love, patience, peace, and kindness. May people all around us see Your loveliness in our lives and turn to You.

Florentina Coman