I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
It was the kind of busy season where you find yourself wearing two different shoes all day but don’t notice until someone points it out. The kind of season where you feel lost in the shuffle of the schedule and you aren’t sure which way is up.
It was in that sort of season that a friend chose to invest in my life. Amid the reality of mismatched shoes and the brain fog that accompanies parenting small children, my friend identified a gift he saw in me and provided a way for that gift to be uncovered.
He saw a hunger in me for God’s Word, so he and his wife sent me to a Bible Study facilitator training in a nearby town. There were no stipulations on their gift, except that I use what I learned as God led. They knew I was a busy mama, and there was no guarantee when my schedule would allow me to teach others, but they felt this was a worthy investment in the Kingdom.
Like a farmer who sows seed, my friend exercised faith in planting this little seed in my life, praying it would produce a harvest one day.
Years went by before an opportunity arose to lead college students through a study of the book of Genesis. This inauguration led to more opportunities, scattered across the years. With each conversation, class, workshop, or article written, the seed grew roots that reached deep and wide.
What started out as seed money of sorts, steadily multiply as more and more lives were nourished by its fruit.
And now, almost ten years later, the tools gleaned from that original training are being published as part of a Bible Study by a leading publisher.
Little did my friend or I know what would happen with the seed that was planted. But much can come from our choice to plant hope in others. Yes, it costs us to invest in people, whether through money, time, or a timely word . . . but I believe it’s worth it.
Like my friend, I want to be an open-handed seed planter. One who notices and voices the gifts in others and is willing to get her hands dirty in order to help unearth those gifts.
We plant, another waters, and the results of our sowing are up to God.
Leave a CommentDear God, thank You for those who have the courage to call out the gifts and talents in those around them. Help us to be those kind of people too. The kind that don’t put stipulations on the growth but sow in faith, praying that You will bring a harvest in Your timing and way. Thank You that You are in the fruit multiplying business and that You tend to the seeds within, even when we are blinded by busyness or wearing two different kinds of shoes. Help us to be faithful with the seeds You’ve entrusted to us as we watch them take root, reaching deeper and wider than we could have imagined. Amen.
Michele Morin says
Beautiful truth from that little verse in I Corinthians–and what a glorious thing God has done in your life from that one little seed!
Congratulations on publishing the Bible Study!
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Michele: Thank you! Rejoicing that God brings the growth as we plant hope in others. Hope you’re doing well. Nice to connect here.
Jennifer Frisbie says
As long as I’ve known you, here among these online spaces, you have always been one who notices and voices the gifts in others. Keep encouraging, my friend. And keep writing these sweet words. So excited to see the fruit from those planted seeds!
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Friend: Thank you for the seeds of kindness and encouragement you sow. It makes a difference. It matters. Grateful.
Beth Williams says
Katie,
Congratulations on the Bible study! God plants dreams/seeds inside us. We need people to help water them & nurture them. God tells us to encourage others. We should be willing to invest-get dirty-in others. Giving them hope for their journey. This world says be for yourself-be no.1 & Jesus calls us to reach out to assist others. May we all try our best to nurture hope & help plant seeds in others. You never know how far that seed may reach.
Blessings 🙂
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Beth: That is so true…many times the little seed reaches so much further and deeper than we realize or may ever see.
Thea says
Hello Katie,
That really neat. But I find that when you invested in others outside the home the kids get left behind and the investment in the kids is not rewarding like on the outside of the home. Something to think about is making it a team effort to reach out with your kids being apart. So they get a glimpse of how God works. You might already be doing this. 🙂
Take care and God bless
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Thea: As we each follow God’s lead, He is faithful to grant us wisdom and to sustain us. Hope you have a nice weekend!
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
When I was at a writer’s conference last year, I saw this played out over and over as those farther along in the writing journey poured into the ones who were newer to the process. I learned so much from the more experienced writers and authors and yet I could turn around and offer what I knew to someone just getting started.
That is exciting news about your book, I already knew about it from your website and have been happy for you.
My first book is coming out this fall and I am so grateful for all who planted seeds into my life to help get me here!
Katie M. Reid says
Congrats on your book, Kathy! That’s wonderful. Love what you witnessed and put into practice at the conference.
Mary Geisen says
I feel in some ways I have watched you grow up from across the online miles. When someone invests in our lives, we are given the chance to bloom. That is exactly what that one little seed has done for you. I can’t wait to see how this seed continues to grow.
Katie M. Reid says
Aw, thanks for that, Mary. Appreciate the way you encourage those around you (near and far).
Holly says
Love this dear friend! And you are always planting seeds of encouragement around you, so I love to see how you are paying it forward! Blessed by you Katie! p.s. cannot wait to get my hands on your book! Xoxo
Katie M. Reid says
Thank you, my friend! Cheering for you, big time!
Kerry Campbell says
Like Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” I am in the midst, working, waiting and watching for a few things to bloom. Thanks for this picture of what a well-tended seed can blossom into, if given the time and space to grow.
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Kerry: The waiting and watching are tough but so essential to the bloom. 🙂
Carol says
What a blessing are those who encourage others.
Katie M. Reid says
Indeed, Carol!
Nancy Ruegg says
A delightful story of what God can do with one tiny seed of hope and encouragement. Congratulations, Katie! With you we’ll watch expectantly as the influence of your Bible study (or should I say “studies” because there are more to come?!) reaches wider and deeper than we could ever imagine!
Katie M. Reid says
Hi Nancy: Thanks so much for your encouragement. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Rebecca Jones says
I was once a little worried about what influence I was having, the Holy Spirit encouraged me, sometimes you just have to sow seeds.
Katie M. Reid says
Love that, Rebecca.