Mustard Seed

Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:21-34

I have learned, over these past months, that a small amount of faith goes a long way. I have also learned that knowing others are standing with you, and people are praying for you, can ignite new hope and deepen faith. Discouragement happens to us all, and it is easy to fall into pits of despair. Yet we have abundant love from our Creator and there is more than enough for all our dark days. There are blessings upon blessings when we light our lamps and rejoice, despite challenging circumstances.

Loving Creator, you teach us by stories

and show us in the beauty of nature

the truth of your eternal love for us

and the hope you restore in us daily.

We fall into despair and are afraid

yet your words linger in our hearts

taking root and replacing our sorrow

bringing light where there was darkness.

Help us to step out in faith today

help us to share the light we've been given

give us the strength to plant deep faith

so your love resounds the world around. Amen.