So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7

Miss Mildred, the Sunday church school teacher of my teen years, always held a special place in my heart. I never forgot her lessons, nor did I forget her own powerful example as a strong Christian woman. Recently, 25 years after I last saw her, we reconnected.

“I never knew if any of my students absorbed what I taught,” Miss Mildred commented after I told her how I’d dedicated my life to Christ. “I remember some students looking out the window and others checking their watches, eager for dismissal time,” she joked. “But to hear about you and to know that at least one of the seeds I planted took root is truly my reward.”

All too often we engage in ministry without ever knowing the end result. Like Miss Mildred, we may wonder if we were just wasting our time. But perhaps we are not meant to know. Rather, we are called to step out in faith and sow a seed. God will take care of the rest.

PRAYER: Faithful God, thank you for people who are faithful to your call. Amen.

This reflection was written by Monica Andermann, North Bellmore, NY, for The Secret Place, a quarterly publication of Judson Press. The Secret Place renews your faith, invigorates your spirit, and strengthens your relationship with God. Each daily devotion in this quarterly magazine includes a Scripture passage, an original meditation, and a brief prayer. Written by Christian writers from across the nation, these meditations share comfort and inspiration found in life’s everyday details.  This combination of Scriptural and personal insight provides both a timeless and timely perspective for contemplative meditation that draws you closer to God in your daily walk as a Christian. Order a personal or gift subscription today. Call (800) 458-3766. Andermann is both an avid gardener and a writer. More of her personal essays can be found in several Chicken Soup for the Soul and A Cup of Comfort collections with additional credits widely published both online and in a variety of print media.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. — Henry Ford