In the post What are we preparing our children for? we realized that we need to sow “Word of God” in our children’s heart (the soil). In this post, we will reflect on “How can we prepare our children’s hearts (the soil) to receive the Word of God (the seeds) and bear fruits?”.

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, has said:

^{3 b}“Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. ⁶ But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  ⁹ Let anyone with ears listen!”

Matthew 13:3-9

Based on Jesus’ teaching, captured below is an action plan containing 3 important reflection points and followup action:

1. Are we mindful of the trespassers in our children’s life?

some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. (Mathew 13:4)

The trespassers are the distractions in this world: social media, TV time, over indulgence in games/sports, pornography, drinking, smoking, vaping, other bad habits.

Are we helping our children to realize that these are distractions and if unchecked, these can take-away all the goodness in them?

Call for action: Lets help your children to identify and root-out distractions. Lets teach them to replace distractions with personal prayer, family prayer and joyful spirituality (singing and praising God through music, action songs, art work, etc.,).

2. Do we give them time & mind-space to grow in spirituality?

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. (Mathew 13:5)

When we overload our children with academics, enrichment classes, co-curricular/extra-curricular activities, sports training, music lessons, etc., how would they have time or mind-space to read/receive Word of God?

Taking children to Sunday Mass and Catechism classes only when convenient, could turn out to be futile.

Call for action: Lets deprioritize some of the activities (reduce noise), creating time for them to attend Holy Mass (with fullness of heart), take part in sacraments and read/meditate the Word of God.

3. Are we mindful of our children’s friends and influencers?

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. (Mathew 13:7)

When did we last check on our children’s to know who their friends and influencers are? Influencers could be celebrities, heroes and idols such as fame & glory.

Call for action: Lets strive to become besties (at-the-least friends) to our children and help them find admirable influencers like exemplary friends, holy priests, spiritual mentors and saints.

Our aspiration: Tilling our children’s heart to make them “The fertile soil”…

“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Mathew 13:8)

If we sincerely prepare the hearts of our children to receive the Word of God and to nurture it with a true Christian lifestyle, then Word of God will take root in them, making them bear fruits that are eternal.

Am I ready to change myself to sort first the Kingdom of God for myself and lead my children by example?