Sower of Seeds
by Anna Murdock

Mark 4:26-34

O sower of seeds ...

You are asked to do nothing other than to reach deep into your hearts filled
with an assortment of tiny, rich promises and scatter them. You see where
some have landed, but some have fallen into hidden places. Such precious
tiny seeds of promise, scattered about so generously, so lavishly. You have
done what you are to do. You have scattered the seeds of Love, of Hope and
Forgiveness. And now you wait.

O thrower of pebbles...

You stand by the lakeshore and pick up smooth pebbles. You roll them around
in your hands for a while. Pebbles warmed by the sun. You hear once again
words that were said in this very spot. "Follow me." Smiling, you toss the
pebbles into the lake, pausing before you toss the next one. There they are!
Ripples, one after the other. Ripples of Love, of Hope and Forgiveness
moving out into the great lake. And you pause and wonder how far the ripples
will flow.

O pray-ers of prayers...

You bow your heads. Alone, kneeling in a private place. One quiet voice.
Together, sitting in the sanctuaries. Many voices of all ages. Praying the
words you were taught. "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven." Prayers arise like incense. Beckoning whispers of Love, of Hope
and of Forgiveness. You pray as both beloved children and disciples. You
pray and wait and wonder . when, O God, when?

And as we, the sower of seeds, the thrower of pebbles, the pray-ers of
prayers wait and wonder and pray, we trust through it all for that which we
cannot make happen to happen.

O Holy God. Water the seeds that we have scattered. Bring to life that
which seems so small. We pray that the tender sprouts form deep roots,
blossom beautiful flowers and produce sweet fruit - but that is yours to do.
Take the ripples from our tossed pebbles and float your Love on holy
currents to surprising places. Hear our prayers. It is not ours to bring
about your kingdom, but you have asked us to sow seeds, to toss pebbles and
to abide in you. We do so with a trust in you that the seeds will sprout,
that the tossed pebbles reach farther than we could ever imagine and that
our prayers are cherished by you. Amen.

(Comments to Anna at abmurdo@northstate.net.)
Worship Team Leader
Broad Street UMC
Statesville, NC