Scripture: Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV

She was a beautiful girl with petite features and remarkable green eyes, but she wrapped herself in heavy hoodies and sadness. She had endured the tragedy of losing her mother and was now making her way through high school, quiet, composed, and mostly alone. She wasn’t my student, but I’ve found that the Holy Spirit has never been overly concerned with rosters. Whenever our paths crossed in the hallway, I began to experience a calling that I was to do more than just say hello.

During my prep one day, I took out a notepad and prayed, “Okay, Lord, what words do you have for this beautiful child created in Your image?”

Tell her she is loved. Tell her she is seen. Tell her there is no one else on earth like her.

So I did. I knew it pushed the edges of a boundary but was prepared to let God take care of that technicality. The office delivered the note to her.

Time has passed, and nothing has noticeably changed when I see her. She still appears quiet, composed, and alone. It’s not my story to write; it’s none of my business to even hear the ending. It is, however, all of our business to scatter seed for the Kingdom of God. When the Holy Spirit prompts, we sow.

Paul reminds any of us yearning to be known as a green thumb that it is God who makes the seeds grow, not us (1 Corinthians 3:7). We are just to scatter with love and obedience. Maybe He will prompt me to do more in this situation. Maybe He will prompt someone else. What a joy it is to be part of a global family of seed planters!

Prayer: Lord, help us not to be idle in sowing seeds for Your Kingdom; neither let us grow anxious about it, taking credit that is not ours to claim. May we be ever diligent to tune our hearts to the Holy Spirit, obeying His prompting, while waiting on the growth that only You can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Copyright Kristi Shanenko.

Kristi is a current member of Christian Educators and a high school English teacher who lives in North Dakota.

To connect with Kristi, email info@christianeducators.org.