Savoring Sundays: Seeing Jesus in times of Sorrow

I shared this in a Facebook group yesterday and wanted to share here as well.

I have been reading through the book Humble Roots by Hannah Andersen, with 

some other women.  Hannah uses beautiful illustrations from agriculture and the

plant world to share Biblical truths.  She often quotes directly from Jesus; such as

where He instructs us to take His yoke.  Yesterday as I sat at a funeral for a man I 

never met I was struck by how the Pastor giving the message also used an 

illustration regarding plants/seeds. 

Matt and I attended a funeral today for the former administrator of the school 

where Matt graduated from high school. The Pastor who spoke 

gave a beautiful message and as part of his message shared the 

poem below. One he had written himself. I grinned as he read 

and explained it as it so beautifully reflects some of what we 

have been learning in Humble Roots; another example of how God 

speaks his truth thru the plants and growing processes around us. 

I hope it's an encouragement to you and another word picture to remember.

"Tiny "chutes" drifting in

brought to life by the wind

Mini-invasion from above

This is how the kingdom comes

Frail though it seems to be

Spreading roots bring divinity

A forest of forests in each seed

A harvest of love from our deeds

So never doubt, humble pod,

From you shines the face of God

People hunger to be fed

Be to them the living bread

To the earth sink down low

That's the way to make things grow

If you'd turn water to wine

Jesus calls, "Come and dine"

~ Pastor Bob Emberley

• he explained that he used this form of chutes to bring to mind parachutes. Seeds, like soldiers, being dropped into often dangerous and inhospitable ground to grow. We are the seeds that God has used to "invade from above" to build His kingdom here on earth. A life well lived in our "humble pods" can reap a forest of forests...generation upon generation of growth for God's kingdom. But it is only in sinking into the ground and dying to ourselves that we truly live and bring forth fruit.