Mulitplying

We've been reading the Bible as a family.

When we read parables in Matthew, I explained their meanings to our boys.
While reading the parables again in Mark, I was looking for a different message to "share with the kids"...and I got smacked in the head myself. *Why does that always happen?*

If you are unfamiliar with the "parable of the sower" in chapter four, here is an excerpt where Jesus explains His main points:
Mark 4:13-20 New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

I wonder if my family could actually HEAR the sound when verse 20 hit me. (It was a pretty hard slap.) My life is supposed to be producing a CROP - maybe thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was sown. *eyebrows lifted, eyes big*

I know I haven't been unfruitful. I know God will produce fruit as I make disciples out of my little boys...but I need to teach my children more than how to bring up a couple little disciples of their own.
I need to be an example of how God MULTIPLIES what He has sown.

What if I am someone God wants to use 100 fold? What about 1000 fold?

• Do I need to let God change my language so that EVERYONE I meet (not just the people who read my blog) sees Jesus in my life?
• Do I need to let God change my lifestyle so that EVERYONE (even my own children and husband) see Jesus in my actions?
• How does a "good soil" believer live?

I've been a bit of a lethargic believer the last few weeks. I've gotten consumed by my own life, the worries of this world, and desires for other things. I have not been proactive about getting out in the fields so God can sow more seeds through me.

Sounds weird, but I want to be a big ol' patch of poison ivy.
Hard to kill, spreading like wildfire...and infecting anyone who rubs up against me. (OK, so here the analogy breaks down a bit...I want to infect others with the love of Chist...not itchy, seeping bumps.)

Poison Ivy photo found on Flickr, taken by Mullica

It's amazing how God uses scripture that I've read over and over and over again to get me off my butt open my eyes in brand new ways. I hope you are spending time in His Word so He can give you a smack help you to grow as well.
Have a GREAT day growing deeper roots...and infecting those around you.