A Sprout of Faith

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…” (Matthew 17:20).

I couldn’t believe it!

There, inside the tiny glass bauble dangling from my charm bracelet, a green sprout. I rubbed my eyes, certain they deceived me. But no, it was true. From the teensy seed…

Life was growing. 

Later, when my husband returned from work, I showed him. “Look!” I exclaimed. “The charm you gave me after Ian was born, the one with Matthew 17:20’s faith passage engraved on the back, well…” I lifted my wrist to show him. “See!” 

Bill leaned in to examine. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Taking my hand, he lifted it closer. “That little mustard seed sprouted. But how?”

I shook my head, a smile spanning ear to ear. “I’ve been wearing this bracelet every day. I noticed several days ago, after giving Ian a bath, condensation was building up on the inside of the glass, and I was worried I’d ruined it. But no. Seems instead, the moisture caused the seed to sprout.”

The mustard seed of faith— 

Yes, a reminder of God’s goodness and His promises.

This happened more than twenty-six years ago. My son Ian, now twenty-seven and the father of three beautiful daughters—was our first child, and he came through the miracle of adoption after many years of waiting. 

During that barren season, God taught me so much…

Growing my faith.

Today, the charm holds an empty seedpod, brown and dry—a small hole in its middle—but it still brings a smile. Because I know, even better now than I did all those years ago—

God is faithful. 

He brings life, sprouting in unexpected places, with many verses to remind us.

For we live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). 

Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see (Heb. 11:1). 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb. 11:6). 

Because we know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:3).

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (I John 5:4). 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (I Cor. 16:13). 

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws (Ps. 119:30).

And one of my personal favorites— 

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise (Heb. 11:11). 

(All the above passages from the NIV)

As the mother of three adopted children, each who came to us because a birth mom made the difficult choice—despite trying, even painful circumstances—to carry to term, then place with a waiting family…

My faith has grown. 

And as a woman who experienced the excruciating pain of loss through two failed adoptions…

My faith has grown.  

In fact, God has used so many experiences—both joy-filled ones as well as the sad times—to expand my faith, and I’m guessing He’ll continue.

Truth is, He longs to teach us more of His faithfulness that, in turn, our faith in Him might grow.

As His Word promises— 

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (II Chron. 16:9). 

Yes, to grow our faith! 

So—

How has your faith grown?

What promises from the Bible have served to help you hold on when you were feeling faithless?

With whom might you share your story? 

Remember—your words might encourage another, providing at just the right time…

A sprout of faith.

Father, thank You for giving us winks in the form of tiny mustard seed sprouts. Each serves to remind us of Your faithfulness—yes, how You long to show Yourself faithful that our faith-strength might grow. And help us be bold to share our stories that others You place in our paths might come to know You better and love You more. Amen!

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