Children’s Sermon

Mark 13:1-8

Planting a Garden in Your Heart

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: Weeds. Carrots, squash, tomatoes or other garden produce. Sunflowers or other flowers, if available.

Planting a garden is a hopeful thing to do. It is optimistic. Optimistic is a word that means you think things will turn out well.

When you plant a garden there are many obstacles you must overcome so that your garden will bloom and flourish. Weeds, weeds, weeds! They can crowd the space in a garden so there is no room for beans and tomatoes and sunflowers to grow. A gardener must be willing to pull weeds from the garden again and again.

In my garden rabbits and deer come and eat the lettuce and strawberries and roses. I must have a fence to keep them out.

The gardener must also remember to water the garden. If the plants don’t have enough water they wither and die.

All of these things can be discouraging, but a gardener is optimistic and remembers that the end result is a beautiful garden that gives much pleasure.

Jesus spoke with his disciples about being optimistic. He told them that they would experience many difficult things – many obstacles to their happiness and well being, but he said to them, “…don’t be troubled” (13:7). He reminded them not to be troubled by bad news and obstacles. He encouraged them to be optimistic. Remember that God’s plan for us is that all will turn out well.

When you are discouraged and feel as if your life is full of weeds, remember the words of Jesus, “…don’t be troubled” (13:7). Plant a garden in your heart and think about the time when the roses bloom and the strawberries are sweet and juicy and the sunflowers grow tall. Be optimistic!

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2007, Richard Niell Donovan