I have been growing mustard and collards over the winter. While I’ve eaten collard and mustard greens over the years, I had never cooked them myself until recently. These plants flourish in South Florida’s mild winter and sandy soils. It amazed me how large the leaves grew. The mustard greens were even bigger than the collards. When the summer heat started in March. The heat and insects damaged the collards to the point I had to cut them back in April. The mustard plants bolted and sent thick tall stalks reaching for blue skies. This has me hoping for mustard seeds.

“The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³¹ Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, ³² which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” [Matthew 13:31-32¹]

The scriptures describe the mustard seed as the least of seeds which grows greater than the herbs into a tree. Now my mustard plants have not grown into trees, but compared to my herbs and greens, they are mammoth! The leaves became over a foot long and the seed stalks extend over five (5) feet tall!

Mustard greens and seeds have healing properties too, like herbs and vegetables. Yet they tower over the herbs in my little garden. Their flavor is as strong and spicy as their stalks that support the leaves and eventually the seed pods.

Jesus’ parable reflects life. The scriptures teach us there are things that start small growing mighty and bear many good things. A microscopic egg in a mother’s womb when fertilized by the seed of a man and then nurtured grows into a child. Some grow tall like the mustard. Others have a feisty personality bringing spicy flavor to life. Another might grow a large ministry or business. When we accept His gift of tiny seeds, God works the miracles. And, no matter how big, small, strong, or weak we are, God created us as an individual with His purpose in mind. We are all much bigger than that tiny egg. Yet we are a part of His Plan. The biggest plan in history! Know this: you are fearfully and wonderfully made! A Psalm of King David states:

“¹³ For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.”

[Psalm 139:13-14]

An idea is nothing more than a small seed in my mind. I have choices with my idea. I can let it go and it will wither and die, or I can nurture it and it will grow. An idea has no emotion it is just a start. I can use an idea for good or evil. This post was an idea that started by watching my garden mature for the season. I hope you will look around to see all the seeds God offers you to use as God intends, “… thoughts of peace and not of evil…”

“¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

[Jeremiah 29:11]

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the lesson of the mustard seed. We are small like a mustard seed, but You have plans much bigger than our little realms. Help me set aside my plans and follow your adventure journey to something greater than I can conceive; the future and hope you plan for me when you created me in the womb of my mother. The fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, humbles me. I am in wonder at Your Creation and Glory. Please take my tiny seed of faith in you and teach me your ways and purposes. We love You and praise You, for Marvelous are Your works! In Yeshua’s name, amen. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

Be faithful and know that, like the mustard seed, God’s plans are mightier than mankind’s.

Blessings

Milly

Footnotes:

¹All scripture is from the New King James Version: Prophecy Study Bible New King James Version, Editor John C. Hagee © 1997 by Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

² Please, remember I am not a theologian! This is from my own private discussions with the Lord, study, and experiences. You may see something I do not. That is okay. Let the Lord lead you. Ask Him questions and discuss this with Him. He is faithful to lead and guide us. Just like you, I am searching for wisdom and understanding. Peace be with you.