Luke 8:4-15

Is it the parable

Of the seed

Or of the four kinds of

Soil?

We like things

either/or

Only truth is never

That simple

The Southern Baptist child

In me

Made it always about

Who gets to heaven

My obsession being with my own

Fire insurance

A good farmer

With limited seed

Would never throw it

In the path where people

Walk.

Would never throw it 

On rocky soil

In a place that lacks water

Would never throw it in a place

Known for thorns

But the message of God

Is limitless

It is for everyone

I think I have been

All of these soils

At times in my life

There have been times

When there was no way

I could hear what was said

There have been times

… in my teenage years, especially

When I embraced the word

Passionately, exuberantly

… arrogantly 

Until church intervened

With mentors showing their

Human frailties

When love did not conquer 

All

And I wanted it simpler

And I have certainly,

Even recently

Been strangled by worry

And anxiety

And fearfulness

Thankfully,

I have also been the good soil

The well prepared soil

I have pulled weeds

I have added nourishment

I have spent time

Preparing my soul

For God’s message

And have bourne 

Fruit

Have known

Salvation

Luke 8:4-15