The Harvest

I am attempting to grow roots on a few shrub branches by placing the stems, first in a glass of water. So far, the roots have grown very little, but I am watching them daily. The growth is slow, and I am anxious to get them into a pot of dirt where the roots will take hold and spread. 

     As a newborn Christian, my roots were also slow to grow. Today, I wonder how deep they really are, but I know they are deeper than they were in the beginning; I draw strength from them being more deeply rooted in God’s Word. 

     I also am finding that each new sprout does not produce fruit in the season in which it is planted. Just as when I plant my garden in early spring, it takes patience to wait until summer or fall to reap the harvest- the end result! 

Till The Land

I had a small area in my garden that, over the years, had been devoted to asparagus. However, the asparagus never produced anything but a few spindly, stringy stalks that turned to fern before developing into eatable produce. I had let this area basically become dormant over the years, hoping the asparagus would grow. It never did!

     Yesterday, I decided to remove the asparagus and till the land into a small garden spot. That was a task! It seems roots and vines were all underneath the surface. They kept choking the tiller tines, and I was constantly having to remove the vines to keep the tiller running. I ended up clearing just below the surface area but never removing all the roots and vines. I will tackle it again another day. 

     This all reminded me of how much it takes on a daily basis to keep the invasive roots and vines out of my own life. If I don’t stay in the Word and talk with God daily, I can easily let troubles, fear, dry moments, and depression take root. I am in constant need of God’s direction. I am in constant need of His lessons on life so that my life does not lay dormant and grow deep roots which are hard to extract. 

     Because of my lack of tilling over the years, it may take me months to get all the roots out of that garden area. I know it took the Israelites 40 years to reach the promised land because of their refusal to till their hearts. 

     Lord, I pray it doesn’t take me 40 years to get the roots and vines out.