Last week, we began this journey through the Prayer of St. Francis with the words:

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.”

This week, we continue with the next line:

“Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

As I reflected on these words, I realized that we often think of hatred as something dramatic – conflict, violence, or deep division.

But most days, we don’t encounter hatred in those forms.

Instead, we encounter impatience.

Sarcasm.

Rudeness.

Harsh words.

The little moments where we have a choice: Will I return what I’ve received, or will I plant something different?

A few years ago, I was driving my SUV and trying to make a turn.

It was one of those turns that should have been simple, but with another driver waiting and watching, I suddenly became very aware of every little movement. The longer it took, the more self-conscious I felt.

Eventually, I completed the turn and drove off.

As I passed, the taxi driver called out with a grin,

“Next time, buy a Tiida!”

In other words, “Buy a smaller car if you can’t handle this one!”

I could have taken offense.

I could have responded with an unkind comment of my own.

Instead…

I laughed.

Really laughed.

To my surprise, he started laughing too.

And just like that, what could have become an unpleasant exchange ended with two strangers smiling.

I’ve never forgotten that moment.

Not because of what he said… But because of what happened next.

One laugh changed the atmosphere.

One response changed the ending.

It reminded me that every interaction gives us an opportunity to plant something.

We can plant anger… Or patience.

We can plant criticism… Or encouragement.

We can plant resentment… Or grace.

The Prayer of St. Francis doesn’t say, “Where there is hatred, let me avoid it.”

It says, “Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

A farmer doesn’t control the weather.

A farmer doesn’t control when the harvest comes.

A farmer simply chooses what seed to plant.

Maybe that’s what God asks of us each day.

Not to control how others behave, but to be intentional about what we leave behind.

Scripture Reminds Us

In Romans 12:21:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Every conversation is an opportunity to plant a seed.

Every response is a choice.

The question is not, “What did they do to me?”

The question is, “What am I sowing?”

Reflection

Think about a recent interaction that didn’t go as you hoped.

What seed did you plant?

If you had another opportunity, would you choose a different response?

This week, where is God inviting you to sow love – even when love isn’t what you’ve received?

Today, my prayer is simple:

Lord, help me remember that I cannot always choose what comes toward me, but I can choose what goes out from me.

May my words plant hope.

May my actions plant kindness.

May my life sow love.

Until next Saturday!

Love, Talisha