Seeds; Their Fruits Can’t Be Measured
Years ago, I was getting ready to cook our Thanksgiving meal, and I sat down to make a list of all of the dishes I wanted to make. Each dish called for a few select items, and after checking in the refrigerator and cabinets, I made a list of what I needed and got ready to go to the grocery store. I was trying to hurry because I knew that the stores would be crowded with procrastinators like myself. Most people get off work around 5:00 pm, so I was hurrying to get done before the rush.
I dressed, hopped in the car, and started down the road to the grocery store. Before I had driven very far, my stomach started to growl. I had been in such a rush to get to the store that I had forgotten to eat anything that morning. Everyone knows better than to go to the store on an empty stomach because you will buy way more food than you planned on purchasing. I turned into the Dairy Queen and ordered myself a BBQ sandwich and a drink.
A friend of mine was in front of me, so I honked the horn and waved hello to her. She waved back, and when she had gotten her food, she honked again and pulled out. I drove up to the window to pay for my food, and the cashier told me that the lady in front of me had already paid. The feeling was so special!
The amount of my purchase was small, but that had nothing to do with the excitement that I felt. I immediately handed my card to the cashier and said that I was going to keep the streak going and that I wanted to pay for the car behind me. She handed me back the card and said, you don’t have to do that. I was kind of shocked, and I gave her the card back and told her that I “wanted” to pay it forward.
Once the excitement of the unexpected blessing wore off, I began to think about how easily it can be to make someone’s day. My friend planted a seed, and you never know what kind of fruit that seed will produce. Seeds are small, but with the proper care, they can grow into a tree that will provide lots and lots of fruit.
Proverbs 11:30
30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
This translation from NLT reminds us that the seeds of good deeds become a tree. And the seed that you plant can produce many, many trees.
I don’t know who the family was that was behind me that day. I don’t know if they continued to pay it forward. And I don’t know if they were as excited as I was to receive a small, unexpected blessing. But I do know that we might all need help from time to time, and helping those who can’t repay us is the Christian way.
Luke 14:13-15
13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
What if each of us plants some seeds today? Seeds come in many different ways, and you can pick the one that works for you. A phone call to someone lonely, a heartfelt compliment to a stranger, or letting someone merge in front of you in a traffic jam could all be small ways to plant seeds that don’t cost you a dime. You may never know who your seeds bless since they can take a while to produce. But once harvest time comes, hopefully, your seed has grown into a tree with plentiful fruit.
I look forward to hearing about all of the seeds that will be planted today.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day, And Be A Blessing To Others!
This is always exciting to get up to the window to find your bill has been paid. I always pay it forward also when I can. Have a beautiful day ❤️
I too have paid it forward at a fast food restaurant, to one of our local boys in blue!
Beautiful message of hope Tania. Yes, we all need to sprinkle kindness wherever we go!!
Good message. I definitely try to plant seeds especially with my grandchildren. I spent a lot of time with them.
I love this post and teaching! “The seeds of good deeds, become a tree of life” …. This speaks to my heart! I so believe this to be true!
Great reminder of following Jesus ‘ example of kindness to others. When we really pay attention to those around us we can bless them in a variety of ways as He did.
Beautiful message today. Thank you for sharing
i agree with the comments left already. there are many opportunities throughout our day to show kindness that doesn’t cost us anything; a friedly hello, a smile, holding a door, acknowledging another.
That is so sweet