The Seed Gifts

The Seed Gifts

Dear Friends,

     I have been thinking of seed gifts and what they are and how God uses them.  

     Many years ago, before I had a flower garden, I called my children my garden.  When the twins were babies, I took them for a stroller ride in the neighborhood.  I exclaimed over the beauty of the row of giant hibiscus lining a driveway.  The owner asked me if I would like some seeds from them.  After I replied that I would, he went to the garage and brought out a large coffee can and proceeded to fill it with enough seeds for me to plant a flower  garden!

     A year later we lived in a house where I had a yard for a flower garden, so I planted several of the seeds and by mid summer I had gorgeous, red, pink and white hibiscus blooming.  When the seed pods formed and dried, I collected them and started sharing those seeds with people who liked them.  

     Many of the plants I have now have similar stories of where they came from and who gifted me with them.  This year I am growing beautiful moon flowers from seeds that a cousin gave me.  That flower will most likely be featured in my next letter to you!  A garden is for sharing, you know!  These letters are a way for me to plant seed gifts.  I want the words to build up and encourage you!  The memory and blessing of the seed gift lives on!

     A seed gift doesn't need to be actual seeds, but can be an act of being kind in some way.  It has to do with listening to the Holy Spirit and acting on the whispers you hear spoken.   

     Ruth listened to that quiet voice and gave Naomi her companionship and loyalty.  A boy shared his lunch with Jesus when the multitude was hungry.  A widow used her last bit of  flour and oil to feed a stranger.  A woman broke her alabaster jar and anointed Jesus with fragrant oil.  These were examples of seed gifts.  Those gifts blessed the ones who received them and continue to be remembered and still are a blessing.  Seed gifts keep giving hope, joy, and life! 

    Do you have things in your life that were seed gifts from someone?  Maybe it's a memory of a kind word that still puts a smile on your face.  

Acts 20:24

"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others  the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

1 Corinthians 12:6

"God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us."

Romans 12:8

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.  If it is giving,  give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."