It is the smallest

   of all seeds,

but when it has grown,

it is larger than

all the garden plants

and becomes a tree,

so that

the birds of the air come

and make nests

       in its branches.

              Matthew 13. 32

(This parable is about

the mustard seed,

a tiny little almost

     unnoticeable seed

with great potential.

What is my mustard seed

  in what is before me today,

that tiny little seed

that doesn't seem to matter

but grows to

       change the landscape.

A kindness, a different attitude,

words and deeds

and caring for others.

The planting of big trees

  is not always obvious.

But there is nothing but nothing

that God does not use

     for His kingdom

   and for His glory.

What am I planting today?

A forest from tiny seeds.)

O LORD,

Help us to know that

all we do is significant

      before You.

Help us to plant Your grace

and love and mercy

in the lives of those

         all around us.

And to be aware

     of the opportunities

to sow and even to

       prepare the soil.

Encourage us to know

that change takes

        time to ripen

and that You, O God,

 provide the growth.

Help us to be faithful

   in planting today,

however,

whatever,

wherever

and even in the unexpected.