Seeds Need Good Soil

More on the miracle of a seed. The photo below show the leaves and seeds of two trees I picked in front of the house: The graceful maple (leaf on the left with its seeds shaped like a winged butterfly) and the majestic oak (sharp leaf on the right with its acorns). Contrast the shape and color of the seeds with the leaves. They look so different! One so alive & green, the other so dull & "woody".

Considering how tiny those seeds are, it needs faith to believe that once planted, they can grow into large trees where birds can come and find shelter, and where squirrels can climb and play. An old English saying "many an oak from a tiny acorn grows".

Reflection:

(1) What does seed represents? In our daily life, either through reading, observation or conversation with others, we come across inspirational words - quotes, truths, wise sayings, advice and lessons, which are good for us (seeds could also be "little" ideas).

(2) What to do with the seeds? Some people collect "seeds" as hobbies, but seeds are meant to be planted so that they reach their full maturity.

(3) Where to plant them? There are different type of soils; some more fertile than others.

Photo: Sarah watering the lettuce seeds she has just scattered into a bowl of compost. Why sow the seeds in compost? Because they are broken and soft enough for the saplings' tender roots to burrow and rich in nutrients to promote growth.

The heart condition of the hearer is like the soil condition for the seeds. Consider the following story:
"A farmer was sowing grain in his fields. As he scattered the seed across the ground; (a) some fell beside a path, and the birds came and ate it. (b) And some fell on rocky soil where there was little depth of earth; the plants sprang up quickly enough in the shallow soil, but the hot sun soon scorched them and they withered and died, for they had little root. (c) Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns choked out the tender blades. (d) But some fell on good soil, and produced a crop that was 30, 60, & even a 100x as much as he had planted." - Matthew 13: 3-9

Now, here is the explanation of the story:

1. The hard path where some of the seeds fell represents the heart of a person who hears the message and doesn't understand. He allows others to come and snatch away the seeds from his heart (c.f. Vincent, "they would not listen, they did not know how").
2. The shallow rock soil represents the heart of a man who hears the message and receives it with real joy, but he doesn't have much depth in his life, and the seeds don't root very deeply, and after a while when trouble comes, or trial begins, his enthusiasm fades, and he drops out.
3. The ground covered with thistles represents a man who hears the message, feels good about hearing it but lacks focus and devotion. He allow the cares of life (and worries, ridicule, taunting from others) to compete. As a result, the thistles choke out the tender sapplings.
4. The good ground represents the heart of a man who listens to the message, understands it, and acts upon it. The result is his life becomes fruitful, and goes on to produce more seeds.

All great things starts with a tiny seed - a good idea or a word of advice: So, be faithful with "small tasks" and never underestimate "little things". Who knows, what they will grow into one day. The miracle of a seed requires the farmer first, to have the faith to sow the tiny seeds and second, the discpline to nurture it continuously so that they grow in the right environment.