Projects for God are Modern Day Mustard Seeds

When I look back on my ministry life which happens outside of my day job, it’s composed of many small deeds and “projects for God” as I like to call them. Writing a faith article, visiting the poor, offering a donation, giving a witness talk, delivering a Catholic podcast, spiritually directing a handful of people, ministering to a grieving infertile young woman, being part of a women’s giving circle in the diocese, writing a monthly newsletter for my third order, taking meeting notes, and delivering a listing of monthly opportunities to engage in actions and advocate for justice, peace, and integrity of creation. 

Small and consistently faithful deeds and actions are what my ministries have been about.

During this season of life, I’ve been reflecting on whether God’s asking me to have a bigger impact in one thing vs. smaller impacts in a range of things. Has choosing a range of things limited the impact and possibilities of leadership in some ministries because I find myself entangled in many opportunities and limited time? Probably. Does it matter? Maybe, maybe not.

The conclusion I’ve come to is much like the meaning of today’s Gospel. Small mustard seeds have infinite worth. Small deeds and actions are how the Kingdom of God is built. Small is great in God’s eyes. 

Some of us may be called to put all those mustard seeds in one ministry with a bigger impact. Others may be called to spread their mustard seeds across a range of ministries with smaller impacts. Both are valid, both are needed. Seeds can and are sown in a range of ways. We’re each given a unique set of gifts and talents.

Take my father for example on this Father’s Day. He plants most if not all of his seeds in youth ministry work, tending to the youth group and volunteering with the Confirmation students. He’s an example of sowing mustard seeds in one ministry. I on the other hand spread seeds across a multitude of ministries but in a more limited and defined way. My husband is somewhere in the middle. He has a few clear gifts in art, gardening, and legal work with the poor that help sow seeds across a few areas.

The point is no matter how we spread mustard seeds, whether in one, a few, or a multitude of ways, those small little seeds matter and add up. So if you’re thinking to yourself amidst your busy life, “I can’t make a difference if I just engage in a small way,” think again. Maybe consider one or more small projects for God in ways that are consistent with your time, talent, and treasure. They are mustard seeds for the Kingdom!