Scattering Seeds

Still other seed fell on fertile soil.  This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!  …   The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.  The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life.  And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.  Luke 8:8, 13-15

                 

Watermelons everywhere:  the stools, tables, bulletin board.  She had decorated her classroom top to bottom in pink, green and black. 

But it was the seeds that mattered.  She had taken a positive approach to classroom management, recognizing students for good behavior.  They were collecting watermelon seeds for their successful efforts at behaving.

She planted seeds in the fertile soil of children who wanted to please her, and she watered those seeds throughout the year with encouragement, lots of hugs, and genuine love for her students.  She harvested a year of joy in that classroom, and she continues to reap the blessings of students who were made to feel special in her room.

In a Nutshell

As educators, we are planting seeds that will have long term effects on children.

Father, You have scattered seeds across our campus.  Let our campus be fertile soil, so that through our work You can produce a huge harvest.  Forgive me for having been rocky soil, and preventing Your seeds from taking deep root; I have believed for a while, but through temptation I have fallen away.  Forgive me for having been a thorn and quickly crowding out Your message in favor of the cares and riches and pleasures of this life.  Again, Lord, I commit this new school year to you.  Help me to be fertile soil: let me hear Your Word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest for Your kingdom.  In Christ’s name, Amen.