In late July, Kara and I drove to Jersey City to meet Stephany and Freydell for the first time. Our minds filled with questions as we drove down 208. What are we doing? Who are these girls that left their homes and risked their own lives to seek asylum in the United States? For us the empty nest had finally arrived, and now we were considering becoming parents to a 17-year old and an 18-year old girls. Two of our children would be in college the following month. With college tuition payments there’s not much extra money, and now we’re considering taking on the additional costs of two more teenagers? Nothing about welcoming into our home two young women who spoke little English made much sense, but we continued on our way not sure where this journey would take us.
As we got closer to Jersey City, a calm feeling came over me while a thought struck me. I glanced at Kara and said how blessed we have been. Throughout our married life we’ve experienced hardships and times when we weren’t sure how we’d get by, but every time God provided. Maybe it wasn’t the way we thought but God provided nevertheless. Kara agreed. We kept driving. Little did we realize how much more blessed we’d be as Stephany and Freydell became part of our family. Seeds of risk became blessings in abundance.
In the Gospel of Matthew (25:14-30) Jesus tells the parable of the owner who gives to three servants varying amounts of talents (a talent was a great deal of money like a million dollars today). To one servant he gave five talents. To another he gave two talents. And to the third servant he gave one talent. Without hesitation the two servants took risks with their talents and double their talents. They put their talents to work and received a good return. The servant that received one talent did nothing. He buried his talent. Later, the owner returns. He praised the two servants for the return they received calling them trustworthy. The third servant who buried his talent he dealt with harshly saying “Take the talent and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this ‘play-it-safe’ who won’t go out on a limb” (21:28 The Message).
That’s been my experience with the abundance we receive from God. It’s not meant to be buried or kept for one’s own use. God has entrusted us to use God’s blessings in similar risky, generous ways. Many times that requires us to take a risk with the abundant blessings we have received; to risk our time and our abilities; risked the most. And get rid of this ‘play-it-safe’ who won’t go out on a limb” (21:28 Msg).
That’s been my experience with the abundance we receive from God. It’s not meant to be buried or kept for one’s own use. God has entrusted us to use God’s blessings in similar risky, generous ways. Many times that requires us to take a risk with the abundant blessings we have received; to risk our time and our abilities; to risk our money and our other financial resources. Seeds of risk become blessings in abundance.
This blog is my risk. People have encouraged me to do more with my writing. They tell me that I have interesting insights and ideas that should be shared. Truth be told, I am hesitant because I don’t like to share my ideas for fear of criticism. It’s much easier to keep things to myself. But I realize that I’m not doing anyone any favors by burying my thoughts, ideas and creativity in the ground. And so let the journey begin. Seeds of risk…I hope they become blessings in abundance for others.
Nathan Busker 
I enjoyed reading ” Seeds of Risk ” you and Kara are special people.
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