The Parable of the Four Garfield's

"And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear."

Most of us are familiar with the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23), but do you know the Parable of the Four Garfield's?

My new husband is very fond of Garfield, and one day he found these four, stuffed Garfield's...

The first one has a smug grin, a spoon in his hand, and a bowl of half-eaten pasta on his head. Seed #1: He didn't understand the Gospel. He had something precious, and the enemy (in this case hunger) came before he could appreciate and learn.

The second one has a big smile-with a knocked out tooth, crutches, and a big bandage! Seed #2: He was all excited about the God-stuff he heard, but it hadn't taken root in him yet. He was taken down by a loose step in the world. One he didn't see, because he hadn't learned to look for it yet.

The third one has a sweater, matching hat, and skates on his feet. Seed #3: He heard all the Gospel, but he was overtaken with the cares of the world, fitting in, and the deceitfulness of riches. He spends all his time, trying to fit into the world, feigning a cool exterior.

The fourth one is an older looking Garfield. He has a mustache, overalls, and a fishing poll with a fish on it. Seed #4: He heard the Gospel, learned the Gospel, and let it take root in his heart. He was wise from his time with God, and he had learned to recognize the tricks of the world. Because of his faithfulness, he had started catching fish-souls for God!

Which lasagna-loving Garfield are we? Which one should we be? Which one truly knows God? Which one will do his part to help the other Garfield's in this world?

---Joy