Good Soil

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:1-9 ESV

Yesterday was real challenge. Our daughter Ariel was awaiting surgery in Allentown and I was in transit flying back from the Arctic Circle. Right now we live at a great distance from her and my whole body and soul ached from that separation. She is a strong, smart and intelligent woman and she has been a blessing and an inspiration from her first breath. Not to be with her is tearing at my heart. Her older sister drove from New York to be with her and people from around the country (and beyond) have been holding us all up in prayer. I am so grateful the love that is planted so deep and abiding, that even at great distances, we can trust our loved ones to God's care.

Jesus was using story to help the people gathered to understand the word of God. The word of God in it's most simple form is love. There are many things that can destroy love or cause it to dry up. And yet when love is planted deep, tended and watered constantly, that same little seed of love, becomes sustenance and strength for the whole community. God invites us to plant our faith deep and to look up in times of pain, storm and hardship. This love that is given us is able to withstand time, distance and all the pain the world can throw at us.

Today I ask God to let me breath in love. Let us remember how deep our roots go, and how much we are surrounded by loving caretakers and family. May we trust the word of God, planting love deep in our hearts and trusting that ever battle is already won through God's love.