Let us begin with a quiet prayer.
Lord Jesus, forgive us for the small words we have spoken that carried harm. Forgive us for the seeds of doubt, unkindness, and quiet whispers that hurt others. Teach us to plant seeds of truth, kindness, and life. Guard our hearts and our words. Amen.
Joppa and Millo: The Seeds We Plant
One afternoon, Joppa and Millo were walking through the meadow when they noticed something small on the ground.
It was a tiny seed.
Millo hopped closer. “It is so little,” he said. “What could something that small do?”
Joppa smiled gently. “A small seed can grow into something very big.”
Millo tilted his head. “Like what?”
“Like a mustard seed,” Joppa said. “It can grow into a strong tree where birds can rest and find shelter.”
Millo’s eyes widened. “From something that small?”
Joppa nodded. “Yes. Small things grow.”
They walked a little farther, and soon they heard voices from the playground nearby.
A whisper floated through the air.
“I don’t like her.”
Millo stopped.
Joppa’s heart sank.
“That was small too,” Millo said quietly.
“Yes,” Joppa answered, “but words are seeds.”
Millo looked confused. “Seeds?”
Joppa gently explained, “When we say something unkind, even in a whisper, it can grow. It can spread. It can hurt someone’s heart. And it can also hurt the one who speaks it.”
Millo looked down at the little seed in his wing.
“So a small word can grow into something big… just like a seed?”
Joppa nodded. “Yes. Words can grow into kindness, or they can grow into harm.”
Millo thought for a moment.
“I don’t want to plant hurt,” he said softly.
“Neither do I,” Joppa replied.
Millo perked up a little. “Then what should we plant?”
Joppa smiled.
“We plant kindness.”
“We plant truth.”
“We plant words that build others up, not tear them down.”
Millo carefully placed the tiny seed back into the soil.
“I want my words to grow into something good,” he said.
Joppa looked at him warmly. “That is how we make the meadow a safe and beautiful place.”
And from that day on, whenever Millo was about to say something, he would pause and ask:
“What kind of seed am I planting?”
Reflection Question
What kind of seeds am I planting with my words—kind ones or hurtful ones?
Memory Verse
“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul.”
— Proverbs 16:24
Little Prayer of Repentance
Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times I have said unkind words or whispered things that hurt others. Help me plant seeds of kindness, truth, and Love. Teach me to use my words to build others up and not tear them down. Amen.