… but if it dies it brings forth much fruit
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In the Gospel of John chapter 12, we read about a group of Greeks who were in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover feast. Having heard of Jesus and the miracles that marked His ministry, they wanted to meet this young rabbi who the Jewish leaders had not been able to silence or constrain. So, they approached Jesus’ disciples requesting an audience with Him.
Scripture doesn’t tell us if Jesus granted them an interview, but their request prompted Him to share with us an important Kingdom principle.
Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
– John 12:23
When He spoke these words the entire city was on edge, waiting to hear if this man, Jesus, was indeed the Messiah. Was He about to declare Himself King of Israel, their long-awaited Messiah? Surely this is what he meant by “glorified.”
But this declaration seems ironic to us today, knowing the whole story. This was the hour He was to be crucified, not glorified. Could they be the same thing? He was about to humble Himself, not exalt Himself as His followers had hoped.
Then He said:
“Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit.”
– John 12:24
Much fruit.
This is wonderful news for us Christian moms. We are planting our lives into the soil of our families. We are sowing the seed of God’s Word into their hearts and minds. We are giving our lives to see much fruit for God’s Kingdom.
Our most important work is not seen or celebrated by the world. We, like Jesus, can feel buried, hidden, and forgotten in the dark earth.
Being a mom is hard work. It can be a soul-draining, thankless job. Few people see the work you do, the acts of service you offer every day to the ones you love. But those little sacrifices are sweet-smelling sacrifices to God.
We seldom get recognition for the mounds of clothes we wash, the hundreds of meals we cook, and the thousands of toys we pick up. Babies can’t say, “Thank you for changing my diaper.” Quite the opposite. Often our families only mention these things when they are not done, or not done to their standards!
“Mom, where’s my uniform? Did you wash it? You know I need it for today’s game.”
“Chicken again? Why do we have chicken every night?” (We don’t.)
The little things you do everyday matter, even if you and God are the only ones who see them. Goodnight-kisses matter. Prayers for boo-boos matter. Chaotic family devotions where kids are yelling, crying and you wonder if anyone heard anything, those matter too.
God takes all the things we do for our families, every act of kindness, every hidden sacrifice, and receives them as gifts from your heart to His. And when we plant these seeds, these acts of humble obedience to Him, into the soil of our homes, we receive back from His hand much fruit.
You, my dear, as you humble yourself and plant yourself into the soil of your home, are making a way for God to bring a harvest of righteousness into your home and family. As you give up your life, your reputation, your plans, the things you thought would bring you happiness, in order to serve those God has asked you to serve, you allow room for God’s life to come into your home so those in your home, including you, can grow and flourish.
You are His gift to your family.
Whether we like it or not, most of the work of the home falls on the mother, no matter if she is a SAHM or works outside of her home. That’s just the way it is. Mothers are the heart of the home. No one knows more than a mom the amount of work involved in making a home run, in creating a place where our family’s needs can be met.
The planning, cooking, cleaning, serving, organizing, it’s hard work and heart-work. We are usually the ones trying to deal with our children’s bad attitudes, attempting to make the holidays meaningful, trying to maneuver family relationships, watching for those who may be falling through the cracks, and trying to keep a good attitude ourselves while juggling all of that! It’s impossible. But God’s great grace is sufficient even in our weakness.
There was a season of my life when I felt cut off from the outside world. I had chosen to dedicate my life to raising my children. I put my own career and aspirations on hold to tend to the needs of my family at home. It was my decision, the desire of my heart. But I wasn’t prepared for how lonely I would be at times. I was so unsure in many of my decisions and didn’t feel I had anyone who I could look to for direction. I felt so misunderstood by others around me who questioned my decision to homeschool my children and motives in putting other things, important things, on hold. It seemed like for many years the world had forgotten me, and went on without me. I felt hidden and unseen. I felt like a seed planted deep in the soil, wondering if anyone remembered me or cared. No one saw me. It felt like my life didn’t matter.
You see, there is a comfort in following the crowd and doing what they’re doing.
The seeds in the bag are warm and safe together. But that’s not what seeds are made for. There’s a time when a single seed must leave the group and be planted, individually, into the soil. Only when it’s planted in a dark, cold place can it reach its full potential and be what it is supposed to be.
The seed must be buried to bring forth new life. It must wait for what seems an eternity. It must trust the process. It must die. Then it will be transformed into something new. Its old self will never do for the new life that is waiting in the future.
Only God can see the seed planted in the ground.
The same is true for you too, precious one.
So few understand the pressure, the separation, the isolation of being buried where it seems no one sees our work or notices our sacrifice. All you feel is the cold, dark soil surrounding you. You wonder if your work matters. You feel forgotten and alone. But God sees you. He is the God who sees. And He cares. He sees your growth, the growth that wouldn’t be possible without being buried out of sight.
Yes, it feels like you’re dying, and you are. But death isn’t your destination. It’s just the way we get to the next phase. It’s your path to a richer and greater life on the other side.
Much fruit.
It’s gonna be worth it.
As you give yourself every day, sowing your life into the lives of others, trying hard to hold on to hope when things are not the way you imagined they would be, please remember that you’re growing in more ways than you know. We always grow inside before our growth can be seen on the outside.
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
– John 12:25
New life is springing forth and you will see it in your home, your mind, your heart, and in the hearts and minds of your children.
In order to see God’s life grow in us and produce His fruit, we must submit to the process. But before we can submit to the process we must recognize we are in a process. If we aren’t familiar with the cycle of dying to ourselves so the life of God can live in us, then we will abort the process because it hurts. We will think some strange thing has overtaken us and it couldn’t possibly be God because it hurts too much. But hold on. Don’t come out of the soil until you spring up out of it as a new tender shoot with new life.
As your new life springs up out of the soil and the warmth of His light shines on you, you’ll still be in the process, but your hope will be restored as you see He hasn’t forgotten you. You’ll be amazed at your own growth. Hold on. Keep growing. Keep sowing. Keep giving. Keep believing. It’s all a part of the process and the fruit, brought to fruition, is so good. You don’t want to miss that. It makes all the struggles worth it.
”If anyone serves me, he must follow me and where I am, there will be my servant also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
-John 12:26
So, how do we see Jesus? We serve Him. We follow Him. And wherever He is, that’s where we will be, with Him. We submit to the process. We allow God to bury us in the grown. We trust Him to use our lives to bring new life, new fruit, as we live for Him and His Kingdom.
Precious mama, your home is good ground. Your family is good soil. And His Word is good seed. See your motherhood as an assignment from God, to be like Jesus, to follow Him, to lay down your life so His life can spring forth in your home.
Be an example of Christ, the servant-leader who gave all He had because He loved His Father.
You’re writing a beautiful story with your life. Your children will tell it for many years to come. Your example will be their path to follow. Walk the path you want them to follow. Follow Jesus because they are following you.
The Father will honor your faith and your efforts because you are serving Jesus with all your heart.
God bless!
© Audrey McCracken, 2022
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