My sister Barbara

When I visited Barbara last fall, she reminded me of the parable of the mustard seed. It became one of the scriptures we prayed over together reminding each other that it’s not the size of our faith but the presence of our faith that matters.

Resting in the hands of God amazing things happen. Barbara and I learned to rest in the hands of God as we encouraged each other with our mustard seed faith during those hard days of last fall and winter.

A tiny, tiny mustard seed breaks open and grows into a magnificent tree.
A tree providing a home, providing rest, providing protection,
providing nourishment, providing beauty, and so much more.

A mustard seed, one of the tiniest and most insignificant seeds has the ability to grow into a tree that could be 20 – 30 feet tall and have a 20′ span. It can grow in hot and dry climates or in cool and wet climates. It will push through rocks. It will grow back even if pruned to only its trunk remaining. Unlike a grain of sand, a seed is a life-giving force that leads to bearing fruit.

My friend Carol reminded me, God is the one who gives life to the seeds.

Artist – Herb Frazier

These truths continue to offer life to me as I walk this journey called grief practicing mustard seed faith.

Barbara was a rock artist often sharing her craft with RVA Rocks. Her work amazed me.

I knew when I received a gift to use in her memory, I wanted a painted rock. My friend created this for me. Do you see the tiny mustard seed at the base of the trunk? There is so much meaning tucked into his work. I’m wondering, what do you see?

I asked him to include the words everlasting love.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Jeremiah 31:3 was another important scripture that Barbara and I repeated to each other and prayed over many, many times.

This love for Barbara is now her reality.
This is love that God asks me to trust every day.

At Barbara’s memorial service, her son James told the story of Barbara reading Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree to him as a child. He shared how Barbara was a giving mom to him at every stage of his life.

You know, just a thought, but I wonder, was that giving tree was a Mustard Tree?

Resting in the hands of God amazing things happen.

“Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you.”
John 14:27

Copyright, Sue Tell, May 2020