Reaping What We Sow

In my tradition, Mother’s Day is called Christian Family Sunday. We’re going to celebrate not only those who have been moms or like moms to us, but also our congregation and the wider church. We’re going to celebrate how all ages find a place in God’s family.

I’ve chosen readings that may seem a bit out of place. Deuteronomy 11 talks about the command to love God with all your heart and soul (similar to the Shema that we find in Deuteronomy 6 that is part of daily worship for Jews). This version talks about God sending or withholding rain based not on our farming skills but our devotion. The crops are impacted by our closeness to the Creator, even when the people are in the land God has provided. The relationship needs to be two way, not one. The blessings of God come when we love God above all.

Then comes the admonition to know God through scripture, with visible signs to others of our devotion. We have the responsibility to pass on the Word of God to our children and to allow it to inhabit every aspect of our lives. We should be relying on and living it out every day, not just Sundays. The words should surround us and be written in places we go past regularly. Scripture should decorate our homes and remind us of the constant presence of God. By our intentionality and focus on it, it is planted deep in us so that it grows.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 6, we read about sowing and reaping. Paul says to keep doing what is right, even when weary, so that there will be a large harvest. We are to never miss an opportunity to do good, particularly for those in our family of faith.

I don’t know about your church, but where I serve these are timely words. We are still emerging from Covid and determining our way forward. And there are people who are weary. Who isn’t after the trauma of the last few years, the disappointment of those who haven’t come back to church, and the disillusionment of it all? It can be temping to pack it in, to question God, or to say we’ve put in our time and now it’s someone else’s turn. Except, in many cases, there isn’t someone else coming up behind ready to fill that spot right now. It’s still up to us, the committed, the ones who have given the most and kept things going throughout this crisis in one way or another.

For hope and direction, I go back to the Deuteronomy 11 passage and the promise of refreshing rain that will come if we just keep on loving God with all that we are, trusting that God will provide good food to sustain us. We may have had parents or others who kept God’s Word prominent in our lives, but even if we didn’t we can make it prominent now. Even if kids are few in our pews or homes, we can still honour God’s command to share faith and the Bible with those of all ages under our care. We can still be creative about showing others that we are people of the Word, ready to speak and live it.

I know that many are relieved when the kids go to their program and we can hear ourselves think again. Children challenge our patience, our knowledge, and even our sense of self. God put them in our lives to have the privilege of loving and mentoring them. When we take that role seriously, we all learn and grow and are blessed. As long as our faith life involves only those like us, it will be held back. As soon as we share with those of different backgrounds, ages and experiences, the richness of God emerges and we realize that we do need each other.

The sharing we do to bolster and nurture those looking for stability and purpose in life isn’t wasted. Even when we are weary and feel we’ve done what we can, as we live in love God sends the rain to restore us and grow what we need. Even when we’re tired of doing what’s right, God asks us to bless others so that we receive the blessing of serving and making a difference, especially as our churches continue to regroup and decide on paths forward.

Mothering God, we give You thanks for all of these gifts to us and Your nurturing and sustaining power. Help us to be devoted to You and to growing Your children in Your Word so that they come to know Your love.