Bible Briefs

J O H N   W.   M O O R E PLANTING SEEDS When I was a child, I never cared much for gardening. Why not just go down to the store and buy what you need? As an adult, I now see things a little differently and have come to realize that gardening can be very rewarding. Exercise, experiencing God’s creation, tasting those freshly picked vegetables, and seeing the results of your labor are all very satisfying. When I am out in the garden I also do a lot of thinking. I contemplate the events of the week, marvel over God’s laws of nature, or think about my wife and kids. I also think a lot about my mother and grandmother. I can still see them tilling the soil, planting seeds, hoeing the potatoes and picking the green beans in the family garden. I guess their way of life rubbed off on me, but it was more than just gardening that stuck. In that old garden, they were planting more than just corn and cucumbers. Seeds of hard work, honesty, responsibility, and family togetherness were also being sown into my life. All of that has got me to wondering what my children will be doing 20 to 30 years from now. What seeds will germinate in their adult years (Gal. 6:7-8)? Will they produce the fruits of righteousness and peace (James 3:8)? Will they grow up knowing Jesus and His word (Deut. 6:4-9)? Will they cherish the godly and civilized values of honesty, integrity, and commitment? Will they value true holiness and faithfulness to God? Like it or not, as a parent, we are planting seeds every day in the lives of our children. May we then plant seeds of the gospel that we may rejoice in our latter years.