What Planting Seeds Taught My Son About Faith

 

As parents, we sometimes forget that children often want to see results right away.

We want them to understand a lesson the first time we teach it. We want them to make good choices, build strong character, and grow in their faith. But just like a garden, some of life's most important lessons take time to grow.

My son, Liam, certainly isn't a fan of waiting.

Like many children, when he wants something, he usually wants it now. Waiting can be difficult when you're excited, and teaching patience can be just as challenging for parents.

When Liam was younger, he probably would have checked on a newly planted seed every few hours, wondering why it hadn't already sprouted by the next day.

Ironically, gardening has become one of his favorite things to do.

He loves planting seeds, watering them, and watching them grow. Every spring he gets excited about deciding what to plant and checking on his garden. While he still prefers things to happen quickly, he has learned that some things simply cannot be rushed.

And honestly, I think God uses those little moments to teach all of us something important.

When a seed is first planted, nothing seems to happen. The soil looks the same day after day. There are no flowers, no vegetables, and no visible signs of progress. Yet beneath the surface, something incredible is taking place. Roots are forming. Growth is beginning. Life is developing where we cannot yet see it.

Faith often works the same way.

There are seasons when we pray and don't immediately see answers. Seasons when we are learning, growing, or trusting God and it feels as though nothing is changing. Yet God is still working beneath the surface, accomplishing things we cannot yet see.

One of the verses that inspired Tiny Seeds, Big Faith reminds us:

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

— 1 Corinthians 3:7

I love the simplicity of this verse.

Paul isn't saying that planting and watering are unimportant. In fact, both are necessary. A seed won't grow if it is never planted. A garden won't thrive if it is never watered.

But the verse reminds us that while we have responsibilities, we are not ultimately in control of the growth.

Only God can make a seed come to life.

Only God can grow roots beneath the surface.

Only God can turn something small and seemingly insignificant into something beautiful and fruitful.

As parents, this truth can be both humbling and comforting.

Every day, we plant seeds.

Seeds of kindness.

Seeds of character.

Seeds of faith.

Seeds of love.

We read Bible stories, say prayers, offer encouragement, teach lessons, and do our best to guide our children in the right direction. Yet there are moments when we wonder if any of it is taking root.

Are they listening?

Are they learning?

Is any of this making a difference?

This verse reminds me that my job is not to force growth.

My job is to faithfully plant and water.

God's job is to make those seeds grow.

That may be one of the most important lessons motherhood has taught me.

Like many parents, I want to protect my child from mistakes, help him learn quickly, and see the fruit of the lessons I'm trying to teach. But raising a child has reminded me again and again that growth cannot be rushed.

Just as Liam cannot pull on a seedling to make it grow faster, I cannot rush the work God is doing in his heart—or in mine.

Growth takes time.

Faith takes time.

Character takes time.

And sometimes the most important growth is happening where we cannot yet see it.

One of the greatest gifts of parenthood is discovering that while we are teaching our children, God is often teaching us too.

I have learned so much alongside my son. Through his questions, his curiosity, his struggles, his accomplishments, and yes—even his impatience—God has often been teaching me at the very same time.

As I watch Liam plant seeds, water them, and patiently wait for them to grow, I am reminded to trust God's timing in my own life as well.

This lesson became the inspiration behind my children's book, Tiny Seeds, Big Faith.

The Story Behind Tiny Seeds, Big Faith

This lesson inspired my children's book, Tiny Seeds, Big Faith.

The story encourages children to discover how even the smallest acts of faith can grow into something beautiful when we trust God with the outcome.

Just as a seed takes time to grow, God is often at work in ways we cannot yet see—both in our children and in ourselves.

Free Resources for Families

In a world full of distractions and instant gratification, helping our children build faith, character, patience, and confidence from the inside out matters more than ever.

If you'd like simple tools to continue those conversations at home, I invite you to explore my free resources, printable activities, and Family Bible Quiz.

💖 Freebies Page – Browse sample printables and find access to my Free Resource Library.

💕 Free Resource Library – Faith-filled activities, devotionals, printables, and encouragement for families.

🌟 Faith-Filled Family Quiz – Test your Bible knowledge together with a fun, family-friendly quiz designed to spark conversation and learning.

Because every child has a light within them worth nurturing. 💕

— Michelle Lepitre