Discoveries of a Wanderer

Discoveries of a Wanderer

The Force of a Tiny Mustard Seed

posted by Jana Melpolder

I have arrived in Bolivia. It’s cold. I’m freezing. And it’s awesome to be here.

Our first day marked an incredible tour of the World Vision sites in the Cochabamba area, which lies in the vast mountains of Bolivia. We swiftly traveled to a school where many young children greeted us with shy smiles and happy voices.

As the bloggers and I stepped into the schoolroom the children gave a short Bible study. (If you have never been to a Bible study that is led by children, I highly recommend it). One girl of about 11 years old walked to the front and read a verse about a mustard seed. The seed starts small, but oh, watch what it can do!

Comes from Matthew 17:20

New Living Translation (©2007)

Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

The small mustard seed parable reminded me of a precious child; it can expand and grow into something incredible that can affect the world. A child, just like the mustard seed, can be a part of doing the impossible.

I was moved by this reflection and considered how caring for a child, whether in Bolivia or anywhere else, is vital not only for today but also for tomorrow. Children grow up to be the social changers of the future. Children grow up to bring their own brave ideas into reality.

In their own time, children eventually can move mountains of their own.

Sponsor in Bolivia



You Might Also Like...
Previous Posts

Suicide’s Rising Rates and How Faith Could Help
Suicide rates among middle-aged Americans have risen sharply in the past decade. Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, explains why suicide should be seen as a faith issue.   Reprinted with permission from Odyssey Networks

posted 11:09:36am May. 13, 2013 | read full post »

Women Challenge the Rules at Israel's Wailing Wall
I've traveled to Israel and have seen the Western Wall - or Wailing Wall - in person. It's an extraordinary experience, and while I was there I had to separate from the men to the "Women Only" section. I was surprised to learn that this custom of separation was introduced so late in history - it o

posted 4:29:38pm Apr. 08, 2013 | read full post »

The Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing on February 11 that he would resign at the end of February. His decision marked the first time in nearly 600 years that a pope has stepped down before death. Significant events and moments in Benedict’s papacy include major writings, missteps and i

posted 12:34:20pm Feb. 28, 2013 | read full post »

Violence Against Women: The Faith Response
During their lifetime, one out of every four women will experience violence from an intimate partner.   Today, clergy are reaching out and   supporting those women who become victims in their own homes. Originally posted on Odyssey Networks.

posted 8:53:09pm Feb. 08, 2013 | read full post »

Bishop Elias Taban on the New South Sudan
January marks the two-year anniversary of South Sudan’s independence referendum, a vote for formal separation from Sudan after several years of disputes between the two regions over the land. Elias Taban, the national bishop of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and Uganda, experie

posted 12:53:05pm Jan. 29, 2013 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments Post the First Comment »
post a comment

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.





Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.