I'm a big believer in planting spiritual seeds. You don't know which experiences or conversations or moments will stick with people and become meaningful to them. You don't know, and may never know, what will take root and grow and further someone's walk with Christ.
So the idea is to keep at it and not get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. It's one of those invisible things where you won't know until you know, and you may never know. ; )
My hope for inviting the Wells boys to church was the same as my plan for family dinners: establish the habit, do it together as a family, and ultimately create a space of safety, acceptance, openness, and love.
And ultimately ultimately, foster our relationships with Christ.
We pray together. J talks to the boys about Jesus. There was a magical truck moment about two years ago when all three of them sang "The Proof of Your Love" by for King & Country. Adding church was a natural progression.
So I shopped for churches. I found one that I love that I also thought the boys would like. I invited Jason. He invited the boys. The four of us have been together a handful of times.
If we're keeping up with the metaphor, this is when all the seeds are planted. Each invite. Each prayer. Each song. Each mention.
Seeds. Seeds. Seeds. Seeds.
And then you just wait. (And hope. And pray.)
Two Sundays ago, the pastor mentioned that there are Bibles in the back of the sanctuary free for anyone who wants one. Last Sunday, we stopped on our way out of church to chat with a friend. As we were wrapping up and leaving the sanctuary, Alex stopped J and I and said, "Can I...mumble mumble mumble..."
I leaned down and said, "What was that, babe?"
He pointed and said, "Can I get a Bible?"
Be still my pounding heart! Of course you can!!
He carried that thing proudly out to the truck and opened it as soon as he buckled his seat belt.
Then last night, the boys and I were eating dinner at the table. J doesn't like dinner music, but I do, and since he was gone, I had a praise and worship Pandora station playing in the background. E and I had this snippet:
E: Are you about to cry?
me: What?
E: Last time we heard this song at church, you cried.
me: Ohhhh. No, I'm not going to cry, but yeah, this is a good one. I really like the line, "Our hearts will cry/these bones will sing."
Then we talked a little about all of creation praising God because He's THAT good. Then:
E: I thought about singing on Sunday...
Be still my pounding heart! Of course you can!!
Seeds, seeds, seeds, sprouts. : )
