Reaping What I Sow

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:7-9

I start to get lax because I’m tired, or bored.

My little ones are happy and all is well in their worlds…and this lasts forever, right? No, of course it doesn’t. At some point, life will invade them in ways they don’t now anticipate. Confusion, heartache, curiosity will take new forms, and the bow that holds everything together beautifully will begin to come undone. This is the way of life in a sin-filled world. And very soon, before I’m ready, I won’t be so perfect in their eyes. But now, right now in this season, they are like little chicks following me and imitating me and cozying up under my wings where it is safe and the most comfy place in the world. Now is time for the sowing.

And yet, I’m inadequate. Good thing, I suppose, because if He’s strong in me when I am weak, than my sowing may well produce something beautiful in spite of myself.

“Lord, let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” -John Piper

But even so, I must be diligent in my sowing, in instilling every bit of truth and wisdom and goodness into my little chicks. I may not be able to save their souls, but I can stick Words of life into their spirits. I may not be able to protect them from wickedness, or heartache, or struggles in their faith, but I can give them a foundation of grace and truth. I can give them unconditional love. I can speak words of affirmation over them and to them. I can pray with them and teach them to pray. I can encourage them to ask as many questions as they want about the world and the bible and God and Satan, and I can be honest when I don’t have an answer. I can teach them to always hope, because hope is the anchor of the soul. Our hope is in Jesus, the one who isn’t behind a veil, keeping us at arms length unless we prove ourselves. No, He stepped onto the earth, and then He stepped into our very Spirits. A divine mingling with the sin-infested. That’s what we have, who know Him. And that I can tell my children about, that they can have the divine living in them, helping them, counseling them, teaching them, and reminding them about grace. I want to do this, live this, every day. There are times of weariness, because sometimes I’m just tired or selfish, but I will not lose heart. I will not quit. I will not allow myself to “grow weary”; to give up. I will commit to sowing for the long haul, for the time that I have now.

“Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

“You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” Psalm 128:2

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