Leading With Love and Authority: Balancing Grace and Truth as You Lead Your Children Toward ChristSample

When Parenting Feels Like Planting

There are seasons in parenting that feel like a harvest. You see glimpses of growth. You hear your child pray, watch them make a wise choice, or witness them show kindness when no one is looking. In those moments, your heart soars. You remember why this work matters.

But there are other seasons that feel more like planting. You show up, speak truth, offer grace, and pray faithfully, yet nothing seems to change. You wonder if your efforts are landing anywhere at all. You begin to question if you're doing it right, or if it's worth continuing.

Paul’s words in Galatians speak directly into this weariness. Do not grow weary of doing good. In other words, don’t quit when the soil looks dry. Don’t stop when the results are hidden. In parenting, so much of what we do is sowing. We sow Scripture into hearts that don’t yet understand. We sow prayer over children who seem indifferent. We sow love into defiant or distracted moments, trusting that what is unseen is still at work.

God sees it all. And in due season, He promises there will be a harvest. That harvest may not come on our timeline. It may not look exactly as we imagined. But it will be the result of God’s faithfulness working through our obedience.

If you are in a season where parenting feels like planting in hard ground, be encouraged. The seeds you sow in faith are never wasted. Keep showing up. Keep doing good. Keep pointing your children to Jesus. And trust that the harvest belongs to Him.

Reflection:

Where do you feel tempted to give up or feel discouraged in your parenting? What encouragement can you draw from the idea of sowing in faith?

Written by Josh Kubler