Seeds of Love

Rita and I recently celebrated our friend Pam’s life after she went to be with Jesus. For more than eighteen months, Pam battled ALS, a harsh disease that squeezed life from her body with daily doses of deterioration. Her husband, Randy, served her in love, strengthened by Holy Spirit resolve. Pam’s friends showered her with 165 meals and 650 cards of encouragement. She reaped a harvest of love because, almost every day of her life, Pam planted seeds of love. A genuine smile. A listening ear. A comforting prayer. A timely gift. She was a generous lover.

Paul expanded on Jesus’ parable of the sower by explaining the principle of sowing and reaping, which was most relevant in their agrarian society but is still applicable in our modern times (2 Corinthians 9:10–11). Gardens grow when someone prepares the soil, plants good seeds, pulls the weeds, and waters the sprouts—all with daily nurturing. In time and under the right conditions, seeds sown reap a harvest.

The same idea relates to seeds of love sown in the lives of others. Those who generously sow love in other people can expect to harvest generous love. Seeds of love grow to enrich you in every way to be generous in every way.

The Holy Spirit is the originator and initiator of love that lasts. The divine roots of love go deep into the soil of a humble heart, ever ready to serve another in Jesus’ name. As you submit to the Spirit’s influence, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life (Galatians 5:22–23). Generous living plants seeds of love in the power of the Spirit.

Are you a generous lover whose life and death will be defined by an abundant harvest of love? Every day, look for ways to plant the seeds of love. Look into the eyes of someone who serves you either personally or professionally, say their name, and thank them for their work. Slow down and get to know those around you—their dreams and desires, the names of their spouse and children. Learn their love languages so you can love them in a way that makes them feel loved.

Sow seeds of love in Jesus’ name, and an orchard of love will remain beyond your death. A zeal for loving others will follow for generations to come.

Heavenly Father, each day by the power of your Spirit, lead me to plant seeds of love in other hearts through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name. Amen.