Mustard Seed Planting

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.  If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.  Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.  Be eager to hear every Godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.  If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!  Reflect on the precepts of the Lord, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant." (Sirach 6: 32-37)

O - One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is to have a love for the learning process.  Especially on this Thanksgiving holiday, we can be thankful to God for sending us graces to see his ways better.  Wisdom is greatly needed and, through out all of history, many leaders have come up with a short supply.  Our children need to know that their parents have the authority to direct them in the way of truth.  It is God who is the author of life and has the final say in what is good and what is bad.  We need to teach our children the ways of the Lord and instill in them the discipline needed to be good listeners and to develop the skills needed to complete their assignments in a neat and joyful manner.  This does not happen over night.  It is a process that takes patience and time.  Let's teach our children to be eager to hear God's word and to be cheerful and diligent in their work and service to others.  Let Christ infuse a goal of searching for Christian truth and reaching out to help those in need into the mindsets of our children.

A - I have found that the younger the child, the more work goes into instilling an attitude of cheerfulness while they work.  By the time they reach a certain age, children become conditioned to perform exceptional work with great attitudes if we persevere.  It is a gradual process to gently discipline a child to see the value in having a good work ethic and pleasing God at the same time.  Christ can become the supreme motivator and inspiration for our actions.  When this happens, God will enlighten our minds to pursue virtue.  Everything seems to be created in systems.  Therefore, your family is a system of life and love which should be spread throughout the world.  The input into your familial system should consist of God's word and prayer every day if possible.  It is the most vital part of our days.  Let your 'feet wear away the doorstep of God.'  These items can be spiritually, mentally, and physically processed in your familial system through out the day. This process will produce the greatest output known to mankind.

P - I pray that all Christian parents take time to turn to the Lord to direct their footsteps as they go through out their days.  Especially on this day of Thanksgiving for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon our country.