I try to grow things, but apparently plants need water, sun, and the will to grow under my care. However, mine chose the sweet release of compost instead.
Jesus used parables every day to illustrate biblical truths. I have never ceased to be amazed at his ability to tell a simple story that transcends time and culture. Anyone, anywhere, can read the Parable of the Sower and the Seed and know, on a personal level, what it means to wrestle with the types of soil Jesus talked about. On the surface, it’s a simple farming story. But if we dig a little deeper, we’ll find a profound invitation to tend to the condition of our hearts.
🌾 The Story Jesus Told (Matthew 13: 1-23)
Jesus describes a sower who scatters seed across different types of soil:
Some fall on the path and are quickly eaten by birds.
Some on rocky soil, where it sprouts fast but withers in the sun.
Some among the thorns, where it gets choked out.
And some on good soil, where it flourishes and bears an abundant harvest.
Each soil reflects a different response to God’s Word. But the real question is this:
What kind of soil lives in me?
🌼 “Soil of My Soul” Journal Activity
As women, we often nurture everyone else—children, spouses, work, and ministries. But Jesus calls us to be intentional with our own hearts, too. Take a little time with your journal and reflect on the condition of your inner soil.
✍️ What You’ll Need:
A journal or notebook
A pen or pencil
Optional: colored pencils or markers for drawing
Read Matthew 13:1-23 slowly, maybe more than once. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your guide and gardener.
Draw Your Heart-Garden
Open your journal and draw a simple garden with four sections. Label each one:
The Path
Rocky Ground
Among Thorns
Good Soil
This is a symbolic layout of your heart—don’t worry about perfection.
Reflect and Write
In each garden section, ask yourself:
1. The Path – Hard & Unreceptive
Where in my life am I resisting truth or healing?
Are there places where I quickly dismiss God’s voice?
2. Rocky Ground – Shallow & Quick to Fade
Do I start things in faith and give up when things get hard?
Am I lacking deep roots in God’s Word?
3. Among Thorns – Distracted & Crowded
What distractions are choking out my joy or growth?
Are worry, comparison, or busyness overwhelming the voice of God?
4. Good Soil – Open & Fruitful
Where have I seen real growth in my life?
What practices (prayer, Scripture, silence, community) help nourish me?
Prayer of Cultivation
I invite you to write a short prayer asking God to tend to your soil. Share with him your doubts, fears, and worries. There are many reasons why your heart may not be the right condition to receive the seed of His word; why? Ask for guidance where your heart may need some extra care.
Bonus: Monthly Garden Check-In
Growth doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why I suggest creating a monthly “garden check-in” in your journal. Revisit your drawing. Reflect on:
What soil is shifting?
Are any new thorns growing?
What fruit is blooming?
Is your soil softer, deeper, richer than it was before?
Make it a habit. You’ll be surprised how much can grow when God is invited to garden your soul.
Final Thought
This parable reminds us that God is always planting, but He never forces growth. He patiently invites us to tend to the condition of our hearts.
Whether you’re feeling rocky, thorny, or just dry today, know this: the Gardener hasn’t given up on you. With time, attention, and His loving hands, any heart can become good soil.
This is a beautiful lesson. God bless you and may your garden be full of blessings.
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