“And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed . . .'”
{Luke 17:6a, ESV}
Theirs is a small ministry. Nothing flashy. Almost invisible. Some wouldn’t even consider it a real ministry.
And though my son is the one to whom they’re directing their time and energy, they’re preaching a new revelation to me:
The ministry of consistency birthed from obedient faith.
We require our children to earn their spending money, and our oldest son determined that waiting tables offered him the most flexibility during the school year. His outgoing personality and mannerly way would serve him (and customers) well.
It was the first week of his new job, and while he wasn’t exactly nervous, he was still learning the ropes. This day would be his first without a trainer. He had no way of predicting by the end of this shift something remarkable was going to happen.
Sometimes remarkable gifts arrive without fanfare, wrapped in obscurity.
We can’t even see them for what they are . . . until later.
The older lady seated in his section was alone. My son greeted her and learned others would be coming soon, a group of friends celebrating a birthday. While waiting, she invited conversation, and he explained it was his first day. I have little doubt he cranked up the charm — the boy was working for tips, after all.
Soon enough, the rest of her party arrived. Birthday celebrations should be special, so Thomas made sure to give them extra attention.
By the end of lunch, they had made a real connection, or at least as real a connection you can make over a 90-minute lunch at Cheddars.
She asked for his cell number.
“Sometimes I share encouraging texts,” she explained. He gave her his number figuring she would do no harm, but even more likely, he’d never hear from her again.
He was wrong.
Every morning for a year and a half, she and another of the Birthday Party Ladies have sent him a text. Without fail.
A ministry of encouragement to him; a ministry of consistency to me.
Sometimes it has been an inspiring quote or what appears to be an excerpt from a Bible study, but most days it’s Scripture. The texts are specifically to him, not part of group text as if they do this for every person they meet.
My son is a 21-year-old college junior, active in Greek life on his college campus. While I know the majority of his choices are wise and calculated, I’m not naive. College is a breeding ground for temptation, and it’s an oat-sowing season of life.
Our children provide motive to pray without ceasing. It’s enough to keep you on bended knee.
We can’t raise our children in a vacuum or on an island, insulated from the brokenness of our world or devoid of its allure. When they’re young, to some degree we can protect them from imminent dangers, but once they’re out of sight, we learn new ways to trust God with their welfare, and to trust that He loves them more than we ever could.
The ancient African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child, and our village has been the family, friends, church, and community who have invested time in my babies. We have been loved well.
Now that my children have grown up and moved out, our family is scattered. Practically speaking, that village we had no longer exists. But that doesn’t mean we no longer need a community to support and encourage us; we may need it now more than ever. I’ve prayed for my children to have good friends and mentors who speak wisdom and love into their lives when we can’t be around. If it were possible, I’d will hedges of protection and angels to surround them.
Sometimes angels look like two ladies sending text messages to a praying mama’s son. Their intentionality and actions have preached a sweet sermon over me, one that teaches that the grandest of gestures may be packaged in small, hidden acts of faithful service.
They have shown me that anyone — anyone — can have an effective ministry, using the little they have, offered in faith, as a blessing to others.
What has God already given me that I can use to encourage someone else? What can I offer in faith and obedience that might bear fruit in the life of another? Prayer? God’s Word? Kindness? Compassion? Mercy?
The Lord said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed . . .” you could tell —
a tree to uproot and replant itself in the sea. {Luke 17:6}
a mountain to move and it would. {Matthew 17:20}
In the same passage in Matthew, Jesus concludes the metaphor with an unbelievable statement when He says, “Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Today, let’s remember that small seeds bear magnificent fruit. Let’s beg God for the wild, tiny faith that has the wisdom to recognize the remarkable gift in ordinary living. Let’s claim that wild, tiny faith, that makes possible the impossible.
Thanks to (in)courage for allowing me to give away some of my favorite pieces from DaySpring’s new Better Together Collection! There will be three winners so be sure to enter!
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Robin,
I’ve had two knee surgeries in the past 3 years. When people ask me, “What did you do?” I sometimes will respond, “I wore them out being on my knees in prayer!” LOL. I’m kidding, but in a way I am serious because there have been so many times that I have been on my knees in prayer for my children. Like you, if I could will a hedge of protection around them, I would. What a divine and beautiful gift is the little lady who has consistently texted your son. I love that God gave you, and him, a tangible sign of His loving protection. What a beautiful reminder that the small deeds we do in love, do not go unnoticed or do not return void. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story…may I follow this woman’s example…
Blessings,
Bev xx
Robin Dance says
Bev, well, I love your response about your knee surgeries (I had one surgery a few years ago, so I’m VERY sympathetic when I hear someone who’s had to go through it). And you captured it perfectly: her faithfulness is a tangible sign of God hearing my mama-prayers <3.
Donna Torrado says
This is truly a beautiful post.
These women not only bless your son, they bless you. That in turn incourages you to bless someone else. God is a mighty wonderful God. I love the mustard seed reference. God has given me that mustard seed faith many times. It is a blessing to see what He does with it.
God bless those went & you. May we all be brave enough to use our muatard seed!
Robin Dance says
Donna, Thank you for your comment, but I have to tell you what made me smile: you said “incourage” instead of “encourage” :). How many times have I done the same thing since writing for this amazing site?? (and yes–I want to be mustard seed BRAVE!)
Danielle says
Wow! This brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful example of faith in the ordinary. Thank you for sharing!
Robin Dance says
Danielle,
It’s this kind of faithfulness that inspires me to action, ya know? A small, consistent, deliberate action to encourage and bless someone else. It reminds me that EVERYONE has something to give. A widow’s mite, a mustard seed of faith…something…!
karen says
Our sons are the same age and sound very similar. 🙂 An encounter happened last week for my son too and it was such a reminder for me that we serve a God “who sees”….not just generally, but each one of us! God bless those women and may I be one!!!!!
Keri Lynn Siegel says
What a fantastic post! I’m response to this post, I would say that your ministry is much the same as the ministry of that elderly lady to your son. I look for your posts every morning and have shared many with close, personal friends. Also, in response to my practical every day life, my three spiritual sisters, my one spiritual brother (which has a deeper meaning than us being brothers and sisters in Christ; they couldn’t be any more my siblings than if we’d had the same natural parents), my spiritual mom and spiritual dad, and my church have this role in my life. They are consistently there when I need them to minister to me and express God’s love in action to me, doing exactly what God called them to do to help me, no more and no less— so that I still have to depend on God. I couldn’t ask for anything more! Be blessed.
Keri Lynn Siegel
Penny says
Robin,
What a true blessing for your son that his shift began that day. Thank-you Robin for your inspiring post today..and for the reminder of how a mustard seed can be grown into doing wonders, with faith.
Penny
Devi Duerrmeier says
This post!! This story is such an encouragement for so many reasons, what a relief to be reminded that all God is looking for is a small act of obedience.. and how special it is to know that he has his people everywhere looking out for each other. Thanks for sharing this story, Robin.
JeanneTakenaka says
Robin, what a beautiful post! I love how these precious women have come alongside your son, giving him nudges to walk in faith through their texts to him. You’ve given me some ideas on how I can be praying for my almost-teen boys.
I was blessed with a mentor when I was in high school. She taught me to drive, heard my heart, and pointed me toward Jesus. The seeds of faith she planted in me have yielded fruit in my life as I’ve learned to walk with Jesus. I want that for my sons, and I want to be doing that for others. Thanks for getting me thinking on seeding faith. 🙂
Joanne Peterson says
Robin,
Even though you say it’s small, and consistent, little is much when God is in it. That little mustard seed grew into a tree big enough for the birds to nest in it. God doesn’t see anything as small when it is done in His Name. I love how these older ladies weren’t intimidated to ask for your son’s cellphone number and use it. Sweet, sweet, sweet, offering the Godly wisdom and encouragement they have to give to your son, AND your son was/is willing to receive it instead of blowing it off from these “older ladies”.
Encourages me so much to speak more into people’s lives and to realize everything is by divine appointment.
Hugs,
Joanne
Mary says
Indeed I am praying for my daughter and her children, one who is playing with her sexuality, thinking maybe she is gay. I am broken hearted! Struggling! Please pray that God will intervene and our lives will come back together. thank you.
Beth Williams says
Mary,
Praying now for you daughter and her children! I can’t imagine how heartbroken you and your family is over this! May God intervene and bring about a change of heart for her!
Father,
Please help Mary and her family! Guide her daughter in the path you want her to go! Deliver her from the thoughts of homosexuality! Comfort Mary and her family during this time! Be with the children also!
AMEN!
Beth Williams says
Robin,
I can easily see God in the situation with your son! So glad those ladies were there and now bring comfort to him daily! Love and totally agree: “Sometimes remarkable gifts arrive without fanfare, wrapped in obscurity.” To often we ask what can I do? I don’t have any major talents, can’t travel overseas on missions, etc. How can God use me? I’ve learned over the years that my spiritual gift is encouragement! I continually send cards, e-cards, phone friends, & pray for people! If time permits I will visit you in the hospital or cook a meal for you! I want you to know you are thought of and loved!! God can take that little and use it for His kingdom!!
Blessings 🙂