The Mustard Seeds of Faith: Part II

Then came the Sunday that was the week before Lance would ask dad for the money.  Thomas’s confidence was wavering.  Where was God?  Why hadn’t He answered?  Maybe He didn’t care about the prayers of two boys with so many important things happening in the world. Maybe, because Lance didn’t seem to care as much, God didn’t.

During Sunday School, Ms. Finch noticed Thomas was quiet and not his normal self.  Pre-teen boys being boys, she had no time to consider it.  They kept her busy that Sunday.  However, when Sunday School time was finished, Thomas stayed behind to help her clean up.  That was normal but his despondency was palpable.  She was about to ask what was wrong when he spoke up.

“Ms. Finch, remember when you taught us about havin’ faith the size of a mustard seed and nothin’ would be impossible for us?”

“Matthew 17:20, Jesus said if our faith was a small as that we could tell a mountain to move and it would.  Yes, I remember.  Why, what’s wrong?”

“Does that work for boys too?”

Ms. Finch considered the question for a moment and thought of Jesus saying we need faith like a child.  Then she replied, “I suppose it is even more so for boys and girls.”

The answer surprised Thomas and he looked at her and asked, “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

A ray of hope splashed upon his fragile soul.  He smiled and said, “Thank you, Ms. Finch.”

A thoughtful look appeared on her face and Ms. Finch said, “Hold on a second.”  Then she walked out the door and toward the church kitchen.  Thomas peered out the door and watched her opening and looking through cupboards.  Then she pulled down a small jar, opened the lid and dumped some contents into her hand and put the excess back.  Then Thomas went back to putting things away in the room.  He turned to face her when she entered the room.

Taking his right hand and turning it to be palm up, she placed something small into it.  She said, “Here, this is a mustard seed.  Do you see how small it is?”

“Yes, ma’am, it’s tiny.”

“I want you to keep it to remember just how little faith you need to do something impossible like move a mountain.  Now tell me this, how much do you need for what’s botherin’ you?”

With hope flooding in, he replied, “No much.”

“Now what is all this concern about?”

Thomas felt embarrassed and delayed answering.  Ms. Finch nicely but forcefully said, “Out with it!”

Looking at the floor, “Me n Lance wanna buy a necklace for mom for Mother’s Day but we ain’t got no money.  I told Lance we could pray for God to give us the money but Lance wants to get it from dad.  We made a deal that if we don’t have the money by next week, he’s gonna ask dad.”

Ms. Finch often wondered if any of the boys ever heard what she had to say during Sunday School.  She silently thanked God for this one.  Then she asked, “And God hasn’t given you the money yet has He”?

“No, ma’am.”

“How much does God need to give you?”

“Forty bucks.”

“I’m sure that seems like a lot of money to you but to God it is nothing at all.  I’m sure He will answer you soon.  Meanwhile, you use this mustard seed to remind you to keep praying and believing God will answer you.”

“Yes, ma’am, thank you ma’am, I will.  Thank you very much.”