3-23-25 Sowing Seeds of Care in the Family of Faith (Membership Caring Month #4)
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“Sowing Seeds of Care in the Family of Faith”
(Membership Caring Month #4)
I want to start with something funny that I found on an internet site: One day, a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Mum, why are some of your hairs white?”
Her mother replied, “Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then asked, “Mumma, how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?”
As some of you may know, I love being involved in community activities so that I can get to know the community and its people and serve them in a better way. One of these activities is a women’s club called Grantsburg Women Working Together (GWWT). I recently learned that it was established one hundred years ago, beginning at the Grantsburg Public Library. Their group’s purpose, which all members recite at every gathering, is: “To reach out in our communities, and along the way, plant seeds of joy, encouragement, and hope wherever there are needs. And as we work together, we’ll keep this aim in mind: wherever now our footsteps take us, we’ll leave a better place behind.” —Loretta Brown
I love their purpose. Their identity and mission are clear and inspiring. They are a group of women working together to sow seeds of joy, encouragement, and hope wherever there is need. I have witnessed their work and their effort to make a positive impact in the community.
I have learned a lot through several community clubs. Their identities and purposes are clear—who they are, why they gather, and what they do. This applies not only to Grantsburg Women’s Club but also to other organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Historical Society, and even sports clubs. They maintain their identity and purpose in every step they take.
What about us? Do you think that we, as Christians, have a clear identity and purpose? Yes, surely, we do. Our identity is as followers of Jesus Christ, belonging to God. Our purpose is to love God and love our neighbors through action, just as Jesus loved God and us. But my question is: Do we live this out? If others see us, would they recognize us as Christians even outside the church?
1 John 3:16-18 says: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” March is Membership Caring Month—a time to reflect on how we care for one another in the church. Today’s scripture, Galatians 6:7-10, reminds us that our actions—our sowing—lead to a harvest. Today, we will explore three key lessons of sowing and caring in the family of faith:
First, we should remember that we harvest what we sow (vv. 7-8): Verse 7 says, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.” As a gardener, I know this rule very well—I can’t expect beans if I plant cucumbers! Two years ago, while volunteering at the Grantsburg Food Shelf, I received a green sweet squash with a round shape. It was my first time seeing it. I had never cooked or eaten it before, so I found a simple recipe and prepared it. It tasted wonderful! I saved the seeds and planted them the following year. As the plants grew and bore fruit, they looked different from what I had expected. I asked others what they were, but no one could identify them. At first, I was disappointed. However, as they matured, they became exactly what I had originally expected. Then I realized: we harvest what we sow.
What do we expect our church to be? If we do not plant anything in ministry, we cannot expect a harvest. What seeds are we sowing—encouragement or criticism? Presence or absence? Generosity or self-centeredness? Remember, we cannot mock God; we will harvest what we plant. In other words, if we plant nothing, we will harvest nothing.
Secondly, consider patience in doing good. Verse 9 reminds us: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up.” At times, caring for others may feel thankless or unnoticed. However, the Apostle Paul reassures us that God sees our efforts, and in His perfect timing, a harvest will come.
I know there are gardeners among us who plant apple, pear, or other fruit trees. A tree takes years to bear fruit, but its roots grow deep in the unseen. Similarly, our acts of kindness, though sometimes unnoticed, build a strong foundation.
We have started youth and children’s ministries as a parish collaboration. As a result, the Grantsburg church now has children and youth activities every Wednesday, and sometimes on Thursdays and Fridays as well. Since we began Vacation Bible School in 2023, we have continued it and plan to do so again this year. By God’s grace, our youth and children’s ministry is thriving. Yet, I have heard comments such as, “We provide childcare through this ministry because parents just drop their kids off and enjoy free time,” or “We feed them for free, but we gain nothing from this ministry—it just costs us money and energy.” To those who think or say such things, I want to encourage you: Keep showing up, keep serving, and keep loving, because the harvest will come. As today’s scripture says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Lastly, consider the priority of caring for the family of faith. Verse 10 states: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Membership in the church is not just about attendance; it’s about belonging and caring. As I mentioned last Sunday, we are one body, united in the body of Christ—the church. Just as a family supports one another, the church should be a place of compassion, service, and love.
The scripture, Acts 2 describes what the early church looked like: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day, the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44-47) This passage paints a beautiful picture of the early church’s deep sense of community, generosity, and care for one another. They didn’t just worship together—they lived as a family, showing how the body of Christ thrives when believers support and uplift one another.
Who in our church needs encouragement today? How can we extend care, prayer, and support? How can we actively care for one another in practical ways? You can check on those who haven’t been present for a while through phone calls, visits, or sending cards. Let’s commit to sowing seeds of care in our church family, trusting that God will bring a harvest in due time. Thanks be to God. Amen!