Failure often carries a negative reputation, but what if failure was actually a gift? In this heartfelt episode of the Mustard Seed Podcast, Oluwatayo Alofun shares life-changing lessons drawn from his son’s swimming class — specifically, the day he didn’t pass.We explore how failure:- Reminds us of our imperfections- Reveals areas needing specific growth- Prepares us for the next stage in life and in faith- Should never be swept under the carpet- Can become a tool for lasting spiritual developmentThis episode offers practical and deeply personal encouragement for anyone who’s faced disappointment, spiritual struggles, or the temptation to give up. If you've ever wondered, "Can anything good come from failing?" — this one is for you

What happens when what you see doesn’t match what the teacher knows? In this vulnerable and deeply reflective episode of the Swimming School series, we explore what it means to grow spiritually - not just in the eyes of others, but in the eyes of the one instructor that truly matters: God.📘 In this episode, I share a very personal moment — the day my son got his swimming class result — and how it exposed something we often miss in our Christian walk: God's perspective is what matters most.We talk about:- Spiritual activities vs. true spiritual growth- Why motives matter- How God handles our “repeats”- And how to live knowing that your most important audience is just one person: God.

Welcome back to the Mustard Seed Podcast with Oluwatayo Alofun! In this third episode of our Swimming School series, we dive deep into the power of mastering the basics — both in swimming and in our spiritual lives.From repeated drills in swimming class to everyday spiritual practices like prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and serving — this episode encourages us to embrace repetition, value small steps, and stay consistent.🧭 Spiritual growth isn't about dramatic leaps. It's about mastering the daily disciplines — the basics — over time.⏱️ Timestamps for Easy Navigation:00:00 – Introduction: Welcome back to the Mustard Seed Podcast00:39 – Episode Title: "Just Learn the Basics"01:38 – Repetition in swimming class: doing the same thing over and over02:18 – Frustration as a parent watching slow, repeated progress03:25 – The turning point: diving into the deep end04:17 – Watching his son swim without a life jacket05:00 – The realization: mastery is in the basics05:40 – Spiritual parallel: growth is built on basic disciplines06:13 – Story of a young man and the song "Read Your Bible, Pray Every Day"06:58 – God speaks through simplicity07:38 – Basic #1: Consistent prayer, even if it's just 5 minutes08:14 – Basic #2: Daily Bible reading, even if it’s just one chapter08:53 – Basic #3: Fasting as a weekly discipline, not just annual marathons09:27 – Why small fasts done consistently are better than once-a-year long ones10:03 – Basic #4: Serving and sharing your faith regularly10:34 – Discipline around evangelism: one person per week11:16 – Conclusion: Spiritual growth is in consistency, not occasional greatness11:55 – Final encouragement and call to share the episode 12:25 – Outro: Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains