A Ministry of Planting Seeds
A Note From Our CEO
One evening this spring, I was walking my dog in my neighborhood. I walk the dog almost every evening after work, and it gives me a chance to visit with some of my neighbors. One of the neighbors I see just about every afternoon is 5-year-old Solomon. Solomon’s dad was working in his yard and Solomon excitedly ran up to me. He opened his hand and showed me a treasure that he had. In his hand was a single apple seed from his afternoon snack, and he told me he was going to plant it and grow an apple tree in his yard. He was very excited about this agricultural endeavor. I asked Solomon where he was going to plant this seed and he excitedly showed me the exact spot. I planted an apple tree in my backyard a few years ago and it has not done very well. I hope Solomon’s apple tree will do much better.
Planting from seed is a challenging and risky endeavor.
Paul Miller, my predecessor and exemplary leader, has said that ours is a ministry of planting seeds. Here at your Baptist Children’s Homes, we plant lots of seeds. Do you recall the parable of the seeds (Matthew 13:1–9)? Jesus tells us that some seed will fall on the path and be eaten by the birds, other seed will fall on rocky soil. It will spring up into a plant quickly, but will die because it has no roots. Still other seed will fall among the thorns and will be choked out. But, some seed will find fertile soil and will take root and produce fruit. Part of our ministry is trying to ensure that the seed we cast finds fertile and prepared soil in which it can become rooted. We till the soil by softening previously broken hearts through safety, protection, and encouragement. We fertilize the soil by providing devotionals and ample prayer for the children in our care. We water the soil with tears of house parents and foster parents whose hearts are broken daily for the children in their care.
And then we plant seeds. Some will grow quickly, but may lack depth. Others will lie dormant, but may grow at a much later date. Many seeds will find fertile soil and grow deep roots and bear fruit. Join me in praying for our house parents, foster parents, social workers, and counselors that they may be found to be faithful planters. Join me in praying for every child and family in our care that the soil may be well-prepared to receive these seeds.
Jesus spoke of seeds one other time. He said in Matthew 17:20 that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed that you could move mountains. Please commit mustard seed-sized faith to pray for the mountains of trauma to be moved from the children in our care, that the seeds we are planting might take root and bear fruit. We are rooted in Jesus so that the children in our care might have the opportunity to bear fruit.