The Sower

My father and Billy Graham both share a birthday.  My Dad is celebrating in Heaven--and has for the past 23 years.  Billy will turn 95 on Thursday, the 7th of November.  Both of these men impacted my life.  My father, David Garlock, of course, more than Billy Graham--although I have always held Rev. Graham in the highest regard.  Both were sowers of the seed of God's Word.  Obviously Billy Graham had a much larger "field" in which he sowed--but David Garlock was faithful in sowing the seed of Biblical truth in his children, as he pioneered churches, in the hearts of his congregations as he pastored, and in the children who passed through the doors of South Park Christian Academy.

I am not the judge of either man--but I think I can confidently say that they were and have been faithful in the planting of good seed throughout their lives. 

When my father passed away on May 8, 1989 it was devastating in many ways.  He was not only my dad, but also my employer and my pastor.  The huge void left in my life and the lives of many others was traumatic--but the seeds of faith he instilled within me made it possible to go on--not just personally, but with ministry as well.  There is not a day that passes that I do not reflect on or draw on the words of wisdom and the example he was to me.  I penned the following poem that was read at his funeral.  As his birthday approaches--I share it:

THE SOWER

The sower in yearning for harvest,
Plods on through the heat of the day.
Not faltering though Satan buffets;
He'll toil despite trials and not sway.

The harvest will bring joy and gladness
'Tis worth every hardship he'll know--
To gather in sheaves for the Kingdom;
This vision of heart spurs his soul.

So, forward he pushes, still sowing,
Not caring for self or for gain.
Just thinking of harvest time coming;
And praying each day for the "rain".

The "rain" of God's Spirit will water,
And cause all his planting to grow;
To flourish, spring up, and blossom--
Ripened sheaves as white as the snow.

His heart is content with the planting,
He knows God's increase will come.
Though the reaping may go to another,
All that matters is the Master's, "Well-done".

This sower looks not for men's praises.
Intent on his labor so long;
For the tears he has shed in the sowing,
Will bring joy in the reaper's song.

Oh, hard-fighting soldier of Jesus,
Your labor will not be in vain;
For the Lord of the harvest will gather
In His garners great bundles of grain.

Now rest from your labors dear Pilgrim,
For the lost, your "All" has been sown
Henceforth, treasure awaits you in Glory!
Where your cross you'll exchange for a crown.

My father faced many trials, difficulties and discouragements as he faithfully served God.  He remained humble and worked harder than most men--both physically and spiritually.  He is now reaping the reward of his labor of love--and the seed he sowed continues to bring forth fruit.

Isaiah 59:21  "As for Me, this is my covenant with them, " says the Lord:  "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your  mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring,"  says the Lord, "from now and forever."

And that word plants seed that will bring forth results.  Isaiah 55:11

 "...My Word which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."