A Heart Like Good Soil!

Can you believe that we are half way through 2020? So much has changed in the past 4 months. I will be celebrating my 35^th birthday in a little over a week and I have been reflecting on life.  Just looking back at these last 4 months, I have had some many blessings.  I have had the time to spend with my husband and kids. I have been able to cook and bake new things, play new games, read, spend intentional time in prayer, keep an exercise and self-care routine, etc.  Sure, this time at home has presented its challenges but overall the blessings outweigh those challenges.

This upcoming Sunday we are going to hear the Parable of the Sower. In my reflection of the gospel, I realized that one of the greatest blessing this time at home has given us as a family (and everyone really) is an opportunity to put the work in and grow in faith together. I was reminded that in order for the word of God to enter our hearts, take root and produce abundant fruit, we must put in the work and be like good soil. As a parent, I have the responsibility to help “prepare the soil” in my family so that the seeds of faith can grow strong. This can be done in many ways – family traditions in which faith is celebrated, prayer, conversation, and spending time together, etc.  What are some of the ways that as a family or individually, you are “preparing the soil”?

Before Covid-19 we lived in a world that was go, go, go! We made checklists and hustled day in and day out to get those lists done.  I know this was the case for me.  And while I did pray, go to mass, frequent the Eucharist, spent time with family, I’m not sure that I was intentionally tilling the soil to prepare my heart (or my families heart) for Jesus.  This time at home has allowed me the intentional time to prepare my heart for Jesus.  As a family we have spent more time in conversations and praying together.  The world slowed down, and we were given the opportunity to reflect and embrace that the King of Kings desires to be in our hearts.  He wants to be united wholly to me…to YOU!

So, use this time to reflect on the ways that you can till the soil in your heart to make it be like good soil so that it can bear abundant fruit!  Let Jesus take root in your heart!