“The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him.” — Proverbs 31:1
When we think of Proverbs 31, our minds usually go straight to the virtuous woman. But before we ever meet her, we are introduced to another remarkable woman—a mother.
King Lemuel’s mother lovingly poured wisdom into her son. She warned him about choices that could destroy his life, encouraged him to lead with integrity, and reminded him to care for those who had no voice. She faithfully planted God’s truth in his heart.
Something struck me as I read those verses.
The Bible records what this mother taught, but it never tells us how her son responded throughout his life.
That is a comforting thought.
As parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers, and friends, we often wonder if we’ve done enough. We pray. We teach. We encourage. We try to model a life that honors Christ. Yet there are times when those we love choose a different path.
It is easy to measure our faithfulness by someone else’s choices.
But perhaps God measures it differently.
King Lemuel’s mother reminds us that our responsibility is to faithfully plant the seed. Only God can make it grow.
Jesus often compared God’s kingdom to seeds. Some sprout quickly. Others remain hidden beneath the soil through seasons of heat, drought, and storms before they finally break through the surface.
God’s Word is much the same.
When we plant Scripture in the hearts of those we love, we may not see immediate results. Sometimes all we see is bare ground. But beneath the surface, God may be working in ways we cannot yet see.
Our job is not to force growth.
Our job is to keep planting, keep praying, and keep trusting the One who gives the increase.
If you are praying for someone who seems far from God, don’t lose heart. The seeds you planted in love were not wasted. Every Scripture shared, every prayer whispered, every godly example lived before them matters.
While we cannot predict when or how a heart will respond, we can remain faithful to the God who never stops pursuing those He loves.
Today, instead of asking, “Why haven’t I seen the harvest?” perhaps we should ask, “Have I been faithful to plant the seed?”
Leave the harvest in God’s hands.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding us that You have called us to be faithful seed planters, not harvest managers. Help us to keep sowing Your Word with love, praying without giving up, and trusting You even when we cannot see what You are doing beneath the surface. Strengthen every heart that is waiting and remind us that nothing planted for Your glory is ever wasted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
