2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow:
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, and some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, somethirtyfold."
Over the next month of so I will be blogging about The Parable of the Sower and how the heart of your children are like soil in a garden. I will dive into this verse and apply it to our children.
Every year we plant a garden, its not the biggest or greatest but its enough for our family of 7. Every year we spend a vast amount of time cultivating the soil.
We attest our soil to see the quality of it, and test the PH levels to determine what it needs, then we add organic compost material to it, this is to ensure it is receiving the best nutrition possible, for we have learned the hard way that if you don't prepare the soil then you can not expect a bountiful harvest.
The seeds you plant will only grow if the soil in which it was planted in has been cultivated, tilled, and worked.
Yes, this process is tedious and the hardest. But, it is very, very, crucial in order to yield a good harvest.
Our children's souls/hearts/minds are like that of soil in a garden.
We are like that of a gardener a farmer a sower planting seeds in their hearts/minds/souls.
One day harvest time will come.
Every farmer/gardener and sower will tell you that the key to a good harvest is the soil. The right soil will produce the right harvest.
It is the job of the farmer/gardener/sower to care for soil that he or she is planting in.
As a parent we must cultivate, till, prepare the soil of their hearts/mind/souls.
If we want a bountiful harvest in them we must take the time to nurture the soil of their hearts/minds/souls.
Taking time to pour good into them, take time to add nutrition and value to their minds their hearts
We must daily and constantly be adding to the soil because one day a garden will grow.
We must test the soil of their minds/hearts/souls to see where it lacks substance so that we can
make the necessary changes to ensure that they are getting what they need to thrive.
How can we cultivate the soil of their minds/hearts/souls?
5 Ways to Cultivate the soil of the minds/hearts/souls of your children
1)Guard what they hear
The hears are what send messages to the mind. The things they hear will become thoughts they think. What do our children hear from us? How do they hear us talk about them? How do they hear us speak towards them/tone? What do they hear when we aren't around? Do we guard what messages they listen to via. internet/T.V/Sunday School/School/Family/Friends/Etc.?
2)Guard what they see
The eyes are windows to the soul. The things the see, penetrate into the mind what they see they act. What do our children see us doing with our time? Our finances? Our relationships? Our spirituality? Our talents? Our gifts? The way we treat people and treat our spouses?
Do we guard their eyes or do we let them watch every show on T.V and see every latest movie? Do
3)Guard what is spoken by them
The tongue is a small member of the body but it can not be tamed
How do our children speak? Do they speak words that edify or tear down? Do our children joke wrongly? Do they mock/scoff and laugh at righteousness and our authority? Are they thankful?
Do we guard what words they say and how they say it? Do we guard how other people speak to them?
4)Guard their deed
A action becomes a habit a habit becomes a lifestyle a lifestyle makes a person
Are the actions and behaviors of our children important to us? Do we guard behaviors/actions that we see them displaying? Do we encourage good behavior or do we feel like we are being to "religious" to encourage morality in them? Do we guard morality in their behaviors? Do we guard what influences of behavior we allow our children to encounter? Do we guard what company they keep?
5)Guarding a thankful spirit
Do we encourage and instill thankfulness in everything ? Are our children thankful? Do we help them be thankful by pointing out there is much to be thankful for? Do we guard a thankful spirit? Are we constantly pointing out the blessings?
Think of these 5 things as soil building materials essential for a garden.
Take each one of these materials and apply them daily
Let me know how it goes
I'd love to hear from you
