What Can I Give God? A Mustard Seed.

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” Scott Adams

What Can I Give Him?

It’s hot here in the South, like step out of the door, feel the hot air hit you like a big thick cup of soup. It’s so hot that you don’t want to spend any unnecessary time outside. It’s so hot that Satan needs a cool drink of water. My kids used to call Summer in the south, “Murder Weather.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I applaud all those who love a good hot day. Enjoy yourself, but I prefer the cool whisper of fall and the magnificent color that it brings.

The Hot Weather Spurred an Idea

As I walked outside after church today, I pondered songs that could maybe make me feel a little chill. It really didn’t work. But one poem came to mind. “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. This beautiful line of prose was written by Christina Rossetti in the 1800’s and was set to music by Gustav Holst at a later time. What struck me after humming that tune in my mind was the last few words of the prose. “What can I give Him, poor as I am? Yet what can I give Him: give Him my heart.”

Small Acts Can Produce Big Results

How often do we go through life thinking that we don’t have much to give? We see those that do great things for ministry or the community and think, “I can’t do that. I am not good enough. I am not that talented. I don’t have money to give.” There are a host of scenarios that can run through our minds. Self doubt is real and a struggle. But if we really look at the beautiful words written above, we can give him something small and personal, our hearts. 

Our Hearts Can Be a Beautiful Work of Art

In giving our hearts, we can take from the words of Jesus when he spoke of the parable of the mustard seed. “The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” Matthew 13:31-32. What is a mustard seed? They are smaller than the tip of a pen. They are about 1 millimeter in size. That is tiny. But when they grow, they can reach a height of 20-30 feet and have branches that extend another 20 feet. A Small seed produces a massive bush.

Why is the mustard seed important?

It is important because much like many activities in life, they start small. The Kingdom of heaven may start small, very, very small but it has the potential to grow and expand. A fully mature mustard plant is absolutely gorgeous. The tips are a beautiful yellow with a smattering of colorful birds that adorn the branches. 

Sometimes all another fellow human needs is something small

This morning our pastor asked us to hold out our hands. He said in doing so, we can reach out a hand and help someone else. Perhaps a handshake is all someone may need. We can offer a kind word, a simple: “I’m praying for you.” That can mean so very much. Give a little kindness and watch it grow. Spread those mustard seeds of truth, kindness, forgiveness, goodwill, mutual respect and love. Watch the bush grow and then let the beautiful birds come and find respite at the top. That is a picture of God’s kingdom. It is welcome to all with its beautiful color and variety.