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Mark 4:30-32
[Jesus] also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

To ponder
There is no end to the things that can awaken our wonder, from the majesty of the night sky, to the smell of lilacs in the spring, to the turning of the leaves in the fall … a feast of epiphanies and astonishments in the daily round of our lives. - Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spiritual Rx

Surprises ahead
Jesus speaks in awe of the kingdom of God, an extraordinary mystery. From a small and insignificant seed grows a magnificent shrub that provides shade for flocks of birds. This image is not about science or horticulture; it is a profound celebration of the ways God’s divine presence can be revealed in our lives. The mustard seed can even reflect the wonders of our own spiritual gifts.

Stories of God’s reign remind us that many surprises await us as we live faithfully in the love of Christ. Who helps you recognize the miracles of amazing grace that persistently appear in your life, even in seasons of struggle and doubt? Rejoice in the company of those who faithfully admire God’s unceasing wonders.

Prayer
God of wonder, God of might, draw near and reveal to us the majesty of the little things you fill with holiness and grace. As we recognize what you are doing to heal, save and restore this broken world, teach us to rejoice in the miracles of your love. Amen.

(from: “A Story to Tell: Devotions for Lent” Bekki Lohrmann, Harvard Stephens Jr., Lydia Posselt, David L. Miller; Augsburg Fortress, 2020)