Well, some of us have already planted gardens this year. For a lot of us it is just getting time to start. This year, I will probably plant a small garden, as my time is limited. However, I have several friends who have gardens and I will help them, and know I will receive some vegetables later in the season. According to God's Word, we have opportunities for gardens, and the outcome of each is dependant upon us. But one may ask, how it is dependant upon us? What about the rain, the bugs, the heat, and the lack of bees to pollinate the gardens?
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (The Message)
6-7Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
Every day, we have opportunities to plant gardens by giving. You can give time, money, advice, love, hugs, caring smiles, extra attention, help, etc. It may be a garden of your spouse, child, parent, coworker, stranger, job/work, business, school, project, friend, or boss, to mention a few. Regardless, all have one thing in common, our Lord and Savior Jesus is aware of each garden, and how we plant each one. Are you sowing seeds sparingly, or stingily? Are you taking the extra time to add water, and weeding around each fruit? Are you planting with joyous fervor and zeal, or are you planting with bitterness and apathy?
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and salvation which covers my sins. I thank you for being the Master Planter, and Creator. Thank you for the many opportunities we have to do your work. Help us to hoe around our own hearts, to weed out the selfishness which hinders our planting. May we be ready with fruitful seeds to sow, and may the seeds sown, grow bountiful gardens for your kingdom and glory. May we do it with a cheerful heart.
We praise you, and love you. For it is in Jesus name we ask and claim these things, Amen!!
God Bless,
David B.
