“the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world…”

Colossians 1:6

Yesterday during homeschool, I shared with my seven-year-old what it meant for a dandelion to “go to seed.”  “Remember how my zinnias get dry, and the petals fall to the ground?” I asked. My little garden buddy knew exactly what I was referring to and grinned. “Well, the wind scatters those seeded petals. Even birds snack on them, excrete them far away, and then the seeds replant. We may have beautiful zinnias growing on the far side of our 40 acres that no one has ever seen!” We both smiled at the lovely thought.

Today, I comforted a friend who had to take her child to a state hospital for the first time. There are only two things I can offer to someone in such agony: my presence, since I have personally walked through this, and God’s Word. I have found that both of those offerings are sufficient.

After I read Colossians 1:6 this morning, I made a connection between these two stories- one that made a powerful and comforting impression upon my heart. The gospel is bearing fruit, but how? We have a “death” in our own lives, like the lifeless zinnia petals, or an uncontrollable circumstance, like the wind, and our lives are forced to move in a direction we would have never chosen otherwise. Despite our efforts, we are divinely blown away to an unexpected, often unwanted, place, just like the hypothetical seed that fell on the unseen ground of our 40 acres. Yet there, it is quite possible, that a flower is growing, nourishing the bees, spreading its joy, and preparing to scatter itself again.     

I know my friend is hurting today, as last night was the first time she ever spent away from her son. But, being much further down this path that she, I can see a small glimpse of what God is doing. I see the flowers that have bloomed in a faraway place called the Lufkin State Supported Living Center, all because my family’s life was painfully scattered by a tragic circumstance-my autistic son’s violent behaviors.

“The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the WHOLE world,” even in state hospitals and institutions. Hallelujah! God is using every pain and struggle to spread the greatest news we could ever hear! Remember that. There is not one loss you endure, not one blow you sustain, that God is not eternally redeeming. He is carefully and lovingly, planting you, and even your special needs loved one, right where He wants to use you.