Planting Seeds That Last Forever

Last week, we attended the finale of our church's Creative Arts Camp.

Now, before you ask -- no, we don't have grandchildren in first through sixth grade! Ours range in age from 19 to 34. We probably looked a little out of place among all the young families – especially because we were smack dab in the front row!

But we wouldn't have missed it for the world. We went because we still delight in seeing children discover Jesus.

For one joyful week, children learned songs, choreography, rhythm, and teamwork while preparing a delightful musical called "Back to the Beginning".

Through energetic music, laughter, and lots of smiling faces, they traveled from the Garden of Eden through God's amazing story of redemption.

Watching those children sing with all their hearts reminded me of something. Long before I understood all the depths of Scripture, someone planted seeds of faith in me.

Vacation Bible School.
Sunday School.
Faithful teachers.
Loving volunteers.
Simple Bible songs.

Those weren't just childhood memories.
They became lifelong anchors.
I can't remember every lesson from school.
But I still remember songs about Jesus.

I still remember Bible verses tucked away in my young heart.
And here I am all these years later, still clinging to the Savior those dear teachers introduced me to.

Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Every volunteer, every musician, every teenager helping backstage, every director, every teacher was doing far more than producing a musical.
They were planting seeds for eternity.

Some of those children may not realize it today.
But years from now, a song, a Scripture, or a simple truth learned last week may be exactly what the Holy Spirit uses to draw them back to God.

We should never underestimate what God can do with one seed planted in the heart of a child. The smallest seeds often produce the greatest harvest.

And, oh, by the way -- I don't think the heroes of this story were just the children.
They were the quiet servants.
The teenager who patiently helped a child remember one line.
The musician who rehearsed one more song.
The volunteer who handed out snacks.
The director who stayed late.
Most of them will never know the eternal impact of what they did.
But heaven does.