“Mom’s Greens” – A United Church of Christ StillSpeaking Daily Devotional by The Rev. Kaji Douŝa

“The realm of the heavens is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in their field.” – Matthew 13:31 (Gafney, Year A)

A famous civil rights leader once told me: One of the best kept secrets of the 60s is that your mom’s greens fueled the movement.

I might’ve received this as a compliment, but, initially, I was insulted. Because mom – Karen Spellman – is a brilliant strategist and tactician. She thinks of details and possibilities and how to engineer solutions to them like no one else can. She doesn’t miss a beat. I am confident that had way more influence than her greens.

Despite this, I do recall that whenever her fellow-movement folks in DC would meet at our house (which was several times a year), she would make her famous greens. And because I loved them, too, I loved those meetings – the food made them special.

Mom’s greens, made with collards, kale, and mustards, all grow from the tiniest of seeds.

Look for the seeds, beloved. Look for the tiniest thing that God is implanting within you. Like the formation of a thought or idea that gives you some excitement or hope. Like the kindling of some warmth in a relationship that you realize might have more to it than you realize. Like finding that question you want to delve even deeper into. Like feeling the nudge to get to church, to pray a bit more.

Those are your seeds. Being planted by the Creator. Ready to be sown.

And when they’re sown? That’s God handing us love on every plate. Just ask my mom.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the endless chances to grow in your love.

The “StillSpeaking Daily Devotional” series is produced by The United Church of Christ.