Our grandfather, Poppy took us to pick blueberries early in the morning. We met his friend and farmer of a beautiful grove. Suddenly this gentle man began to teach us a bit about his business.
He mentioned his bushes being prized for their abundance of fruit and how he pruned them back at just the right time to get them to produce more. He said the really sweet berries were hidden deep inside the protective branches and that we should avoid the hard green and pink outer ones as they had not had time to ripen in the sun… It was all like a lesson from Jesus on spiritual growth.
As I ate handfuls of delicious berries, I wondered about my own fruit – was it sweet from being in the Son? In the midst of this lesson, he mentioned he’d survived cancer twice! However, this 3rd time, it was in his blood. You would never have guessed from his serenity and obvious hard work that he was dying. I was amazed.
He then went on to tell a story of his niece visiting who had suffered a stroke. It had cost her the use of her right arm and taken away control of her tongue. It was difficult to understand her speech. For years she’d been a teacher. Now she sounded like she had trouble learning. An beautiful adopted granddaughter was at her side. This child was both deaf and mute. She had been raised by her loving grandmother, the stroke-victim. They worked well together, depended on each other.
In His goodness, gave me beautiful reminders of His mercy. He knows the future and plans ahead. Nothing is ever wasted. He goes before us and prepares the way. Our Master-Gardener proves Himself by tenderly watching over His plants, helping us to bear good fruit.
ForGlorySake! -Anna
