And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb. 10:24)

The wedding was beautiful. Lauren’s face radiated love and beauty. Jim beamed absolute joy as the couple recessed down the aisle toward the front door. On the patio, the two were enveloped in the sunlight as relatives and guests offered congratulations and wrapped them with hugs and kisses.

As guests moved past the wedding party, they were given a small bag filled with bird seed. “When Lauren and Jim run toward the limo,” someone yelled, “open the bag and throw the bird seed.” The bride and groom had chosen to use bird seed rather than traditional rice because rice supposedly harmed birds.

Unfortunately, one youngster never heard the instructions about throwing the bird seed. He hurled the still-wrapped bag at the couple and smacked the groom squarely on the back of the head.

There are times when I fail to unwrap parts of my life that might bless a gathering or an occasion. I allow anger to overcome me. I utter a harsh word. I hurt someone with an unkind action.

The good seed—the unwrapped seed—blesses and brings joy to life. When I deliver a meal to someone hungry or in need or when I allow the woman with the crying child to go ahead of me in the grocery line, I have unwrapped the seed that God has placed inside me—his own indwelling life.

Unwrap God’s seeds of love in you to show compassion to someone.

Drexel Rankin is a retired ordained minister who has served full time in Indiana, Alabama, and Kentucky. He and his wife, Patty, currently live in Louisville, Kentucky.

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.