A Sower Went Forth To Sow...

We read the parable of the sower as found in the Gospel of Mark last week. The discussion that ensued was so wonderful and interesting. We talked about how the sower (Christ and those who follow Him) was good and the seed (the gospel) was good, but that the soil (our hearts) was not always what it should be. Sometimes we are hard hearted and won't accept what is taught, sometimes we are choked with the cares of this world and don't hear what is taught, sometimes we think the word does not apply to us and thus it falls by the wayside, sometimes we get excited about what is taught and resolve to apply it, but then we get busy and burdened and do not continue in faithfulness. Sometimes, though, we get it...we really receive the word and change and grow! It is all up to us.

Chad took Grant's doodle board and drew two trees, one with tiny roots (to represent the seed sown in stony ground) and one with roots that were deep and true. He showed it to the children and we talked about how, when the winds blow (i.e. hard times and temptations), only those with deep roots will stand tall and strong. Then Merritt took the doodle board and said, "What about this?" And he drew the sturdy tree's roots reaching out and grabbing hold of the roots of the tree that was struggling. "We can do this, right?" he asked. I wanted to weep. We can do that! We should want to do that! I'm grateful that Merritt intuitively understood the principle found in D&C 81:5: "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." I'm grateful for children who teach me, who are small sowers of gospel truths in my life. I'm grateful we can reach out and help one another when hard times come. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have every day to make the soil of my heart a place where the words of Christ can take root and grow.