How is your soil?

Since Gene and I have started this adoption process that God has laid upon us it is amazing to see the work he is doing in our hearts. This weekend our Pastor shared the parable of the seed and the soil. I was challanged to think which soil I have in my heart and what the soil of my family is as well.
 There are four basic types: 
     1. the seed beside the road that does not plant and birds scoop it up
     2. a seed in rocky soil that withers because it is not supported
     3. seeds that grew in thorns and the thorns incased it, choking it out
     4. and finally the good soil where the seed grows and multiplies.
As we reflected in small groups I believe that at different times in our lives we are different parts of the soil. I think as of this time in my life I am trying to be the good soil and some days I make the sunshine just right and it gently rains and I am the good soil, growing a beautiful crop of seeds. But see, most of the time, Im the soil that grows in thorns. I let the "world" get in the way.  I feel like I sometimes and searching for the right look, the right house, the right vacation, the right amount of money....which really gets in the way of my relationship with God.

     When I am focused on what I want and what other people think....my seed, is choked. Those prickly thorns of "I work hard for this-I deserve it" or "I have to have this if Im going to be respected/accepted". Man, my thorns are burley and thick and often times appear like roses until I get close, and pricked.  Then those dang thorns cover up the sun and the rain and my soil gets hard, my soil and my seed start to wither because they are not being feed. Then where am I.....and for you....what type of soil do you have....where are you at?