Danielle hurried into the cafe. “Sorry I’m late, ladies.” She settled into a seat, removed her coat, and glanced around the table. “What’s wrong? What did I miss?”

Kristen shrugged. “Not much. We’re all just a little discouraged.”

“Oh, why?” Danielle asked.

“Well, for me, as you know, I’ve been writing a blog,” Kristen said.

“Right,” Danielle said. “You’re ministering to other mothers with autistic children. What’s the problem? Are you having trouble thinking of things to post?”

“Not at all,” Kristen said. “I’ve been posting a lot. But I’m not getting much engagement. I get very few comments. Hardly anyone is reading it.”
“I know how you feel,” Erica said. “I have the same problem. I think I told you, I started a Bible study a few weeks ago, but only two ladies joined.”

Lindsey leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “And I’ve only sold a few copies of my Christian fiction novel.”

Danielle turned toward Aimee, the only woman who hadn’t yet spoke up. “What about you? As far as I know, you haven’t written anything or started a Bible study lately. Are you feeling discouraged as well?”

Aimee nodded. “To be honest, yes. I’ve been talking to some of the ladies at work about God, but none of them seem to be showing the slightest bit of interest.”

Danielle took a deep breath. “Ladies, I think we should pray.” All around the table, her friends nodded and bowed their heads. “God, thank you for this time together. Thank you for the ministry of each of these ladies. Please give me the words to encourage them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Danielle lifted her gaze. “Kristen, you told me you prayed before starting the blog.”

Kristen nodded. “Yes. God made it clear to me this was my path. That’s why I’m so discouraged. I was sure this was what I was called to do.”

Erica pointed to her chest. “I prayed for weeks before starting the Bible study. I was sure God called me to lead this study.”

“And you, Lindsey?”

“You know I prayed about it. It took me two and half years to finish writing that book. If no one ever reads it, I wasted all that time,” Lindsey said.

“You’re all being obedient to your callings. Kristen, Erica, and Lindsey, God called you to write and start a Bible study. And Aimee, we know God wants us to tell others about Him. You should all feel good about being obedient to what God has called you to do.”

“Then why aren’t more people responding?” Kristen asked.

Danielle paused for a moment. An idea formed. “Do you remember the parable of the sower?”

“Yes,” Lindsey said.

“Vaguely,” Kristen added.

“I don’t remember that one,” Aimee said.

“Let me refresh your memories a bit.” Danielle pulled a pocket-sized bible from her purse. She read aloud.

Matthew 13: 3-9, 18-23

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The women listened quietly as Danielle re-told the familiar parable. When she finished, Aimee was the first to speak.

“I’m not sure what that has to do with our situation.”

“It has everything to do with it. The farmer sowed the seed. That’s what God called him to do. God has called you to sow seeds. In your blogs, your book, your Bible study, and in witnessing to coworkers. You have faithfully sowed seeds. You’re not responsible for how people respond. That’s up to them.”

“So we should be satisfied because we’ve done what God asked us to do?” Kristen asked.

“I get your point,” Lindsey said, “but why would God call me to spend all that time writing my book if no one reads it?”

“It’s not about numbers,” Danielle said. “If one person reads your book and their life is changed because of it, all your hard work was worth it.”

Aimee brightened. “I get it. It’s like when the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to save the one.”

“That’s right,” Danielle said. “If one person is ministered to by Kristen’s blog, or by Erica’s bible study, or by you speaking to them, God’s will has been done.”

“I never thought about it that way,” Lindsey said.

“It’s not your responsibility to make people respond,” Danielle said. “All we need to do is be obedient.”, and leave the results up to God.”

Dear God, thank You for the reminder that we are not responsible for other people’s actions. We are grateful we are not being judged by numbers. If we are faithful to do what You have called us to do, we will be at peace. Because we never know which “soil” will be the fertile one, help us to speak Your truths to everyone we come in contact with. Thank You for the opportunity to speak to others about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.