Read: Matthew 13:24-35
[A mustard seed] is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree. (v. 32)
A young, 19th-century nun in France, Thérèse of Lisieux, once said, “Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God.” As a hobby gardener, I’ve experienced the truth of this statement. When you plant a seed, you entrust something small to the soil, water it, and wait. When the seeds grow, it’s miraculous. God takes what is small and uses it for something greater than we can imagine.
In Matthew 13, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to two, unexpected powerhouses: a mustard seed and leaven (yeast). The mustard seed begins as a speck but becomes a home where birds can make their nests. Leaven is tiny and its power is invisible at first, but combined with dough, it makes possible a light and delightful bread. God values the little, often overlooked things, and uses them for his great purposes.
Our lives are filled with small, miraculous things. Look around. What do you see? Set aside some time today for the spiritual practice of delighting in small things. Breathe deeply and thank God for the fresh air. Listen to the songs of the birds in the trees, and thank God for the music of the created world. Like many of these small things, delight is a powerful force. May God receive our delight as an act of worship. —April Fiet
As you pray, ask God to open your eyes to the joy of small things.
About the Author
April Fiet co-pastors First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and is a published author. She enjoys gardening, feeding her backyard chickens, and learning about new things.
