Scattered October 31, 2025

The old farmer was quick to point out the waste that his grandson appearing creating as the boy threw the seed out into the air, without the least bit of care where it landed. “Seed does cost money, boy, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Sunday school, grandpa,” the boy answered.

“Sunday school taught you to waste seed? I thought they taught you good stewardship,” the old farmer barked back at the boy. “What is it that you’re being taught anyway?”

“In Sunday school, we learned the farmer – the one Jesus told his disciples about – well, he scattered the seed but most of it landed where it couldn’t have grown.”

“Is that right?” the old farmer responded. “If I remember the parable you’re talking about, Jesus was pointing out that the farmer, threw the seeds where it was left to sprout up out of it’s own free will. That’s how God works, and that’s the end of it.”

The young boy stood there in front of his grandpa and a puzzled look spread across his face.

“What is it now boy?”

“Well, sir, why would God have his farmers scatter seed in places where he knew the seed wouldn’t come up? God knows what he’s doing, doesn’t he?” 

“Yes, of course, God knows.

“You saying God set them up for failure?” “No, of course not… what’s wrong with you?”

“Grandpa! Why would God scatter the seeds that way then?” “If God wanted them to all come up, he would’ve planted the seeds like you want me – all along the furrowed line!”

“Don’t get sassy with me. No… now, boy, look it… what did your teacher say? Did she just leave it there and you hanging like Judas?”

“No, sir, it’s just she doesn’t believe in free will, that’s all. God scattered it where it scattered it where it landed because the word is heard everywhere, right?”

“Yeah – well, that’s the way the Gospel is broadcast. Yeah – well, you say it that way, I suppose there’d be hearers that don’t hear, or what they hear, can’t stand the heat of day and so on. We just don’t broadcast that way around here – okay?”

“Yes sir,” the boy answered.