Sow Your Seed

by Maxine A. Randall

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to
seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth. If the clouds
are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or the
north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. He who observes the wind will not
sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know what is the way of
the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know
the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening
do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or
whether both alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

I've spoken on occasion about my journey through the book of Matthew with J.C. Ryle
as my companion, or escort is more like it. We traveled slowly and diligently and I
enjoyed the excursion immensely. One morning, we arrived at the beginning of the
thirteenth chapter and I read, for perhaps the five hundredth time, the parable of the
sower. You've probably had the same experience--it seems that no matter how often
you read it, there are fresh new truths. We've often talked about the seed (God's
Word)), about the sower, and about the hearers. Mr. Ryle had quite a bit to say about
those who sow, and most of his comments were directed to those in the ministry.

But my thoughts went to mothers. Especially young mothers. As he wrote his words
concerning ministers of the gospel, I was applying them to those who are sowing the
seeds of God's Word in the hearts of their precious children. Ryle mentioned a portion
of the above passage, which I meditated on often when my older daughter was small. It
was a comfort to me when I became weary. It was an encouragement when I worried
about the future. It was a reminder that the results were not mine to accomplish. I
just needed to sow. So all you moms, listen to what Bishop Ryle said of preachers, and
apply it to yourself and your children:

"Like the sower, the preacher cannot give life. He can scatter the seed committed to his
charge, but he cannot command it to grow: he may offer the word of truth to a people, but
he cannot make them receive it and bear fruit. To give life is God's solemn prerogative: 'It
is the Spirit that quickeneth.' God alone can 'give the increase.'"

So, dear mothers, knowing that the outcome belongs to your Creator: keep sowing.

© Maxine A. Randall

Note: This article was originally posted May 18, 2007 on Maxine's devotional blog,
"Scraps of Glory."

Sow Your Seed

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