There is something about the Parables that really hits the trigger when it comes to lessons of Jesus. The Parables share stories that teach us lessons about life, love, and God. I have grown up learning the Parables and knowing each one by heart, but they never came back into my life until I started this ILP.

If you do not know what the Parables are…you have probably heard about their context in everyday life. I would like to describe a few of these parables and relate them to YOUR everyday life.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep: a tale of a little sheep who ran away from his pasture. When the night came, the shepherd saw that one of his flock had gone missing. He searched throughout the night hoping that his sheep had not been taken by a wolf. Tirelessly, the shepherd went looking for his lost sheep. He had left his flock behind to search for the single missing sheep, and finally, he found his lost treasure and praised his sheep. You may wonder when you are going to have to find your lost sheep, but the point of this parable is that you are the sheep. You are going to run away, you are going to fall off your path, but God will always, ALWAYS chase you down and bring you back home.

The Parable of the Sower: There is a sower who is throwing seeds for his harvest. He is throwing them so carelessly that some land among the thorns, some lands where the sun shines all day long, some land on the stone path, and some land where the sun does not scorch them. The seeds in the thorns grow well until the thorns consume them. The seeds in the sun grow quickly until the sun burns them and take their energy. The seeds on the path are stepped on and picked off by birds, but the seeds away from the evils grow tall and strong. Be mindful of where you plant your seeds. Seek growth for your crop and do not seek out the evils for you or your loved ones.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan: An old begger is lying along a dusty path. He sits begging for a ride, money, or some food, but his own people pass him by and by. Finally, a man dressed in the clothes of his enemies comes trotting along. The begger thinks that surely this man will not help him, but the man stops and brings the man great happiness. In this parable, we discover that even our enemies will come to our aid, but the true meaning is that we are the enemy and we can stop and help our enemies no matter the circumstance.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders: For this parable, you have two men. One man decides to build his home next to the nice cool river and another on a rock overlooking the river. Both homes are built and the men are happy. But then a huge thunderstorm comes. The man on the rock sits happily knowing his home is safe above the river, but the man who built his home on the rocks is flooded and has to move. The point is that you must plan for the future and be wise in your actions. You never know what life is going to throw your way.

Parables are very inspiring to all people and you do not need to look at the religious affiliation in order to see the life lessons inside of them. I think the parables should be taught to all people no matter school or age.