Trudy

Small Seeds of Love Are Never Wasted

“Love each other deeply and fully.
Remember the ways that I have loved you,
and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways.”
John 13:34 VOICE

I was sitting at my desk in my first grade class during recess. He ambled in from the fourth grade classroom, his smile warming my heart, making me feel special.

“Hi, Miss Van Veldhuizen. How are you today?” Conrad was different from many of us, not only because he had Down’s Syndrome, but because I could always trust that his greeting was never out of habit. I always knew he truly cared about my wellbeing and happiness.

It’s been over 30 years ago, but my heart still warms at the memory of him on the last day of school. Most students would wave good-bye as they boarded the bus, but Conrad took special care of greeting each of us teachers by name and wishing us a nice summer.

Conrad was limited in mental capacity, but he had an even greater gift. The gift of uninhibited love and kindness without prejudice. A way of making each person he met feel noticed, special, and cared about.

A smile. A sincere greeting. A caring heart. We don’t have to do big things that get noticed. We can do little things with an overflowing love that spills out of hearts filled from the bottomless well of the love of Jesus. Those little seeds we plant will not be wasted, because God can nurture them in some person’s heart. Like Conrad did in mine.

The memory of Conrad’s caring heart makes me want to love like him. But above all, when I remember the unfathomable, no-greater-love of Jesus, I want to love more like Him. May God teach us to love deeply and fully, remembering how much He loves us!

Every seed of kindness we plant,
However small, noticed or unnoticed,
Can bloom hope in the heart of a hurting soul,
A soul aching to be loved and cared about.
With the nurturing of God’s love and grace
Every tiny seed planted
Will grow and blossom,
Spreading fragrances of love to more souls,
Making a difference in this broken world.

“Teach Me to Love”
by Steven Green

30 comments

  1. Conrad sounds like an amazing young man. What a wonderful example he was. Thank you for sharing this inspiration, Trudy. I get so busy with my to-do list that I forget how important those extra moments spent on others can be. I needed that reminder today, my friend!

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    • Yes, he was, and I hope still is. I often wonder how he is today. We all need that reminder, Candace. We are in such a rushed world, aren’t we? May we take time to notice the unnoticed, unappreciated, and lonely in this world!

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  2. Caring fully from the heart is so needed and necessary, and such a blessing to give and receive. Today during my daily intentions I wrote to “trust too and be open-hearted.” I’ve been feeling like my heart has been suffering for my lack allowing it to work as it needs including loving beyond fear. Always a blessing to be here. Thanks Trudy!

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    • “Loving beyond fear.” Oh, Lynn, I need that so much, too. Thank you for pointing this out. Fear does really restrict us, doesn’t it? May we together be more open-hearted and love beyond fear!

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  3. Dear Trudy … this is really resonating with what I’ve been thinking about lately: “A smile. A sincere greeting. A caring heart. We don’t have to do big things that get noticed.” I see my dad doing these things with everyone at my mom’s nursing home, and it’s inspiring me to do the same. And not just there, but wherever I happen to cross paths with people. To look them in the eye, smile, say hello … I want to follow my dad and Conrad’s example, rather than focus on how uncivilized people act these days! Also … I’ve sort of been off the online grid lately, but I want to wish you belated but very happy new year. Your friendship is a gift!

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    • Happy New Year to you, too, Lois! I am blessed to have met you, too! It’s hard not to get upset about the lack of even common courtesy, isn’t it? Like you, I want to follow your dad’s and Conrad’s examples! Yes, “to look them in the eye, smile, say hello…” May we more and more love like Jesus!

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  4. Such a touching story about Conrad, Trudy. Indeed, this warmed my heart, and made me realize that the simplest gestures, those tiny seeds, can produce much fruit in the lives of others. May we all learn to love more like Jesus!
    Blessings!

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    • I’m so glad this warmed your heart, Martha. I often forget how the tiniest seed we plant can be nurtured by God to make a difference in the lives of others. Yes, may we all learn to love more like Jesus! May we fix our eyes on the depths of His love and learn to love more deeply and fully!

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  5. I loved the story about Conrad, Trudy! I agree, I think the little things we do can have more impact than we realise- a genuine smile or a simple word of encouragement can make a big difference. Thanks for the way you model that here and as you visit other blogs too! I always sense love and compassion in your posts and comments and it encourages me a lot!

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    • Your comment brings tears to my eyes, Lesley. I’m so grateful you find encouragement in my posts and comments. I can truly say the same for you! Thank you for your kind words. I so want to show love and compassion. To be more like Jesus! Yes, “a genuine smile or a simple word of encouragement” can have more impact than we realize. I often have to remind myself of that. 🙂 May we be so filled with the love of Jesus that it automatically flows over to everyone we meet!

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  6. Dear Trudy,
    Oh these words are so precious! What a sweet love you were gifted to share with Conrad. And, thank you for sharing that song also. I had not heard it for years, but the Lord had used it during a really hard time in my life, when He was convicting me to find a deeper way to love. And it brought tears to my eyes today, looking back to realize He really did allow me to love when I thought it wasn’t possible! What a gift His love is to us, when He allows us to share it! Love and Hugs to you, my dear friend! xoxo

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    • Love and hugs to you, too, Bettie! I changed the song with this post more often than I ever have. Every time, it didn’t feel like the one God wanted, though they all were great songs. Then I found this one, and I felt in my heart it was the one. You have confirmed to me to keep praying for which song God wants until I’m certain. It brought tears to my eyes to hear how God had used that song for you and how it now helped you to reflect on how He really did help you to love when you thought it wasn’t possible. May we always focus on what a gift His love is and how through Him we can gift others!

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      • Oh Trudy, I too was so touched by this song. The words are powerful and such an encouragement to me right now. I will be going back to listen to this and to read your words. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Sending you much love and hugs. Keep writing and sharing what God gifts you. You are such a blessing.

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        • I’m so grateful the words are encouraging to you, too, Anna. It’s hard to love when words cut us so deeply, isn’t it? Sending you much love and hugs, too! Thank you for your kind and supportive words. May we cling to the God who has all power to teach us to love!

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  7. I love your story about Conrad and how you pointed us to the love of Jesus as the lesson. I have many stories that are similar from my years of teaching. It never ceased to amaze me how much I learned from my students.

    Thank you for reminding me of the perfect love of Jesus. It’s good to be back reading your words.

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  8. What a wonderful memory, Trudy! That sweet boy is still spreading love today. Just think what we could be doing! My focus this year is Rhythm of Rest and that involves much more than just resting my physical body! Slowing down, noticing people – it all makes a difference. Thank you for sharing your story today, sweet friend!

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    • I love your focus this year, June. I want to slow down and notice people more, too! We don’t always see the results, but yes, it truly does make a difference. May we become more like Jesus and spread the love!

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  9. Such a lovely story, Trudy! And yes, I want to love like Conrad and even more, like Jesus, as you’ve said. It’s a tall mountain to climb, but with the Lord’s power, we can make it! Oh, and did you write the poem following your post? I loved it! Nice to meet you too. I saw you in the comments at Mary Geisens’ place. 😉

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    • Thank you for coming over here from Mary’s, Beth. You are always welcome! 🙂 Yes, I did write that poem. If I don’t have a name with it, it’s something I wrote myself. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it and the story! Yes, we can love like Jesus with the Lord’s power! I just checked out your blog to find out your name. I love your yesterday’s post! May we truly be the reflection of Christ!

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  10. Hi Trudy,
    I enjoyed reading this story from your teaching days! But Conrad obviously made an impression on you and I love it that you’re sharing your memory of him with all of us — proving that all of our lives matter and small actions can make a big impression. Heather from Recollected Design sent me a word graphic picture that sits on my mantel saying “Do small things with great love.” Your words prove that is so true! xoxo

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    • What a nice saying for a graphic picture, Valerie. Yes, the impression Conrad made on me truly does prove “that all of our lives matter and small actions can make a big impression.” May we do small things with great love!

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  11. Dear Trudy … Big can be daunting, overwhelming, sometimes impossible.

    But small? Yes, this we can do and do it with abundance, generosity, and freedom. I love that you’ve gone there today. Thank you for sharing …

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  12. Hi Trudy! I think teachers have such a great job. I know it’s hard too, but you truly get to see the difference you make in your students over the year. And then there are those special little ones that touch your heart. You remember him to this day, and that’s a huge testament to Conrad’s ability to love.

    Your last name is very interesting…what nationality are you?
    Have a peaceful night my friend,
    Ceil

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    • Yes, many of those little ones still touch my heart today, Ceil. 🙂 Van Veldhuizen is a Dutch name meaning houses in the field. Both my parents were Dutch. So is my husband. 🙂 I was glad I married someone with a shorter name! Yours is very short. So what nationality are you? May we always remember we are daughters of the King!

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