SEED SOWN IN YOUR CHILDHOOD

Seeds Sown In My Childhood

When I think back on the path of my life, the moments that shaped me didn’t always seem particularly meaningful at the time. Sometimes, they were simple conversations on a porch swing, or the smell of fresh cornbread in my Aunt Ree’s kitchen.

They were the quiet things, little seeds sown into the soil of my young heart, often unnoticed, but destined to bloom in their season.

Like Paul reminded Timothy in  2 Timothy 1:5, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

That verse feels personal, because I’ve lived it.

Life has a way of shaping us through quiet moments. Not always through grand events or dramatic changes, but often through gentle influences, steady examples, and words spoken in love. We are all, in many ways, a reflection of the people who have walked before us, the ones who sowed seeds into our lives when we were young and unaware, seeds that would not  bloom until many years later.

Faith, character, kindness, patience, these are not things we’re born with, but things that are planted, nurtured, and grown over time. Some of the most powerful influences in a person’s life are not loud or forceful; they’re steady, unwavering, and true.

There’s something deeply beautiful about the idea that faith can be passed from one life to another, not just by teaching it, but by living it.

Each of us are shaped by others in ways we may not even realize. A child watches and absorbs so much from the world around them. The way someone handles hardship, the way they treat other people, the way they speak about life and faith, these impressions leave marks, often small at first, but they stand the test of time.

There is power in consistency. The person who shows up day after day, who lives with integrity and grace, sows seeds into the lives of those around them. They may not see the fruit right away. Seeds often remain hidden beneath the soil, growing silently, waiting for the right time to break through. But in time, they bloom.

Sometimes the influence is through encouragement given at the right time or correction offered with kindness.

Even the way someone handles failure or disappointment can be a lesson for those watching. Every moment is an opportunity to plant something meaningful.

Throughout life, we meet people who pour into us. These encounters, however brief, can have a lasting effect.

And just as we are shaped, we also shape others. Whether we realize it or not, we carry seeds with us.

There’s something deeply hopeful about this truth. Even when life feels ordinary, even when it seems like we’re not making a difference, we are. We may not see the harvest, but we can trust that the seeds we plant will grow. And often, just when someone needs it most, they’ll remember a lesson learned, a kindness shown, a truth shared, and it will give them strength.

The beauty of this process is that it’s ongoing. We never stop being shaped, and we never stop shaping others. The seeds planted in our own lives years ago may be bearing fruit today, helping us weather storms, make wise choices, and walk in faith.

The wisdom and knowledge that was invested in me by my parents, my Aunt Ree, and others are still bearing fruit today.

And the seeds we plant today may bloom in someone else’s life tomorrow, or years from now.

Faith is like that. It’s passed on not just through words, but through lives lived in love and truth. The most enduring legacies are often built quietly, over time, in the daily choices to love, to give, to serve, and to believe.

In every life, there is this tapestry of influences,some obvious, others subtle, yet all coming together to form who we become.

And we are part of that same tapestry for others. What we sow matters. What we live out matters.

So let’s be mindful about what we plant. Let’s sow seeds of encouragement, faith, kindness, and grace. Let’s remember that we may not see the bloom, but we can trust that in time, it will come. Because every person carries within them the seeds planted by others, and every life is a field waiting to flourish with beautiful blooms.