I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Cor. 3:6 (KJV)

I have a brown thumb for growing things. Can’t do it.

My sister, Dot, and our brother, Thomas, inherited the green thumbs from our mom and dad, who loved gardening and eating fresh vegetables. My favorite memories from our family garden were of the juicy red tomatoes and steaming yellow corn on the cob, with dripping melted butter, of course.

Even though I cannot grow flowers or a garden, I understand the concept of planting seeds and nurturing souls for the kingdom of God. Sunday school teachers understand; they plant seeds of truth into the hearts of children, youth, and adults.

Those who taught my sister, Dot, in Sunday school, knew they were planting truth into her heart. However, they could not know that Dot would eventually spend years teaching physical education in a Christian college, mentoring many students on the side. They didn’t know she would then spend 25 years as a missionary evangelist throughout the world. She and her co-worker, Dr. Faye Whitten, spent three years teaching and mentoring students (planting seeds) in Ghana, West Africa. They’re now seeing an increase for the kingdom through their students’ ministry.

I’ve heard it said, “Never underestimate the power of a seed.” When you share God’s Word with others, you never know if your prayers and efforts will germinate and produce a giant spiritual redwood tree or a little neighborhood bush. You cannot know if you are teaching a future Dwight L. Moody or maybe a Billy Graham.

I’ve felt embarrassment when I could not say that I have won many souls to the Lord. Then I realized that I have planted many seeds of truth, and I’ve watered seeds that others have planted. I believe God will allow someone to bring those souls to the experience of salvation. The Holy Spirit can cause the Word to penetrate a heart’s fallow ground and enable it to grow.

Whether or not you have a green thumb, keep on planting and keep on watering. God will give increase.

Phyllis Qualls Freeman has over two hundred fifty published devotionals, human interest, and other articles. She is working on her first book. Phyllis loves reaching out to touch those who have long-term, life-altering situations to share God’s love. Married to her college sweetheart for fifty years, they have three children and five grandchildren. Pqfreeman40@yahoo.com Read Phyllis’s devotions.