I love that we homeschool our kids. Wow, even as I typed that, I realized it was worded incorrectly. Technically, PR31 homeschool’s our boys, and I am a very limited teacher’s aide.
Recently we began a new year-round model that seems to be working for us, and I’ve had some time to be at home during the day while they are doing their schooling. Occasionally, on a break from writing, I’ll sit in on a lesson or be the sub for a class if PR31 needs to tackle something else.
Well, the other day, we were studying science and I read something in Alex’s textbook which caught my attention. It read…
“The size of the seed is not determined by the size of the plant… Every seed contains a new living plant.”
I learned in some of these lessons that there is a certain palm tree which produces a seed that can weigh as much as fifty pounds! That’s more than our six-year old, Austin, weighs!!! Yet, even though the giant redwood tree is much larger than this palm tree, it produces a significantly smaller seed.
Then it hit me that not only does the size of the plant not determine the size of the seed, but the size of the seed does not determine the size of the plant. As I’ve mulled this over, I have found myself reminded of Jesus’ words in Mark 4…
“Jesus said, ‘How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.’” (Mark 4:30-32)
You see, it doesn’t matter how big or small we think we are. We are each just such a seed. You may view yourself as insignificant. Someone else may seem to have so much more potential. But the truth is that, inside of you, there is everything needed to produce something else great. That something may be much larger than you appear to be as a seed.
You have life in you. You have potential stored up in you. You have greatness in you just waiting to be released. Just like that mustard seed, you have the ability to grow into more and be a blessing to a lot of others who need what you have to offer. You are just such a seed as that mustard seed.
So forget the fifty-pound palm seed, you wonderful giant redwood seed! Just let yourself be planted by the Master Gardener… then sprout… and grow… and bloom… and produce. Be the seed this world needs! A lot of people around you will be glad you did.
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