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December 31, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n Planting Small Seeds That Reap Big Rewards<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.\u201d Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n Isn\u2019t it easy to overlook small opportunities to help others because we don\u2019t think it would make a real difference? Little acts of kindness, chances to help another person, will pass us right by if we\u2019re not paying attention.<\/p>\n These things might seem meaningless, but when we get to heaven, I think we will be surprised by what mattered the most. What actually changed the world. What fulfilled God\u2019s purposes. I imagine the small places where we showed up and served in obedience will prompt Jesus to say, Well done. Remember when you took the time to share encouraging words with someone who needed it? That\u2019s the day you helped change the world.<\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s what I see in Matthew 13:31-32:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I keep reminding myself about this upside-down nature of God.<\/p>\n God has a pattern of taking what makes us feel less-than and using it for great things. And then the opposite is true as well: Those things that make us feel like we\u2019re better than others actually produce nothing significant at all. It seems that with Him, small is big, and big is small. The cheers of the crowds don\u2019t mean much. The simple conversation where we helped someone means everything.<\/p>\n Hundreds or thousands of followers on social media isn\u2019t the big influence we think it is. Being kind and gracious to the grocery store employee does more than we know. A donation given with a pure and generous heart is a massive gift for the Kingdom. A million dollars given with a hidden agenda and a desire for recognition is tiny.<\/p>\n God has the most beautiful, powerful ability to take the little we offer Him in obedience and magnify it for His glory in a big way.<\/p>\n I also know when we feel unseen, unheard, and unnoticed, it can be incredibly hard to muster up encouragement for others. But no matter what we may be facing, we have an opportunity not to overlook the small, mustard-seed opportunities where we can invest in others \u2014 in heaven \u2014 today.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what I want you to try with me:<\/p>\n Why? Because as we purposefully ease the ache in others, we will see it is beautifully eased in us. The unseen ache. The unheard ache. The unnoticed ache. We want to live in a better world, right? Let\u2019s make a decision today to contribute to making it better. Let\u2019s bring heaven to earth with the loving words we say and the moments we cultivate.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t have to be big to be significant. We can show up, listen, and lean in. We can pray. We don\u2019t have to push or prove or earn anything. We can plan something joyful. We can plan moments that matter. We can plan to do something for another person that will simply be kind and honor God.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s start with the people right in front of us today. And watch how God turns something small into something big and beautiful in His timing.<\/p>\n God, thank You for how You love me. I see Your faithfulness every single day. I pray You would show me small ways I can invest big-time into eternity by helping others You put in my path. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n This is the moment, friend. As the year comes to a close, we\u2019re reflecting on all God has done \u2014 and looking ahead to all He still wants to do \u2014 through this ministry. But before the clock strikes midnight, there\u2019s still time to help one more woman encounter His Word right when she needs it most. Your gift today helps send truth into the ordinary moments \u2014 the morning she opens her Bible again, the podcast she listens to on her drive, the devotion that feels like it was written just for her. Every dollar given before midnight will be doubled, up to $87,500, helping even more women know they\u2019re not alone. Let\u2019s finish this year faithful and full of expectancy for what God will do next. Give now!<\/p>\n Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.<\/p>\n 1 Thessalonians 5:11, \u201cTherefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing\u201d (NIV).<\/p>\n Take a moment and ask the Lord to put one person on your heart so you can reach out to them. Also spend a few moments praying for this friend, asking for God\u2019s wisdom and direction to guide their life.<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear your thoughts on today\u2019s devotion in the comments!<\/p>\n \u00a9 2025 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
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