“He [Jesus] said many things to them in parables: ‘A farmer went out to scatter seed.
As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. 
Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow.  They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep.  But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. 
Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. 
Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. 
Everyone who has ears should pay attention.’”
~Matthew 13:3-9, CEB 

I appreciate reading and hearing and contemplating Jesus’ parables.  From a historical perspective, there is really no doubt that Jesus taught using parables.  New Testament scholar Arland Hultgren offers my favorite definition: “a parable is a figure of speech in which a comparison is made between God’s kingdom, actions, or expectations and something in this world, real or imagined.”* 

Jesus’ parables tend to be about ordinary life. 
Yet they are complex, and can really make us stop and think.  

While I was admiring my orchid this week the Parable of the Sower came to mind. 
Does that make me particularly holy? 
Not in the least. 

I was just feeling proud of myself for having this particular orchid (whose name is Sunshine, obviously) rebloom so beautifully when a decade ago I found taking care of plants to be so intimidating that I didn’t even try.  It was a staff member who was leaving our church in Lexington who gave me an orchid as a goodbye and thank you gift.  The first orchid (let alone house plant) I ever received.  That orchid has gone away to “live on a farm” by now.  Though from that gift came an interest in caring for house plants, orchids and cacti in particular.  Orchids are notoriously finicky and having the right kind of soil helps these divas of the plant world thrive. 

Sometimes there are external circumstances that are far beyond our ability to control. 
All we can control is how we respond, and that is where our power lies.
Does our faith have the water, sunlight, depth, and space to grow and flourish, to sustain us when we need our faith the most? 
Are we working with good soil in our lives? 
That is certainly my hope and prayer for you!

Love,
Pastor Lauren 

*Arland J. Hultgren, The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary, 3.

Photo by Rev. Lauren Ostrout.

Thursday Thoughts 7/24/25