How Does Your Garden Grow?

For five years, Tom had his eye on Sandra, a peppy and pleasant young lady who worked in his office. In the past, when Tom's schedule wasn't as demanding, Tom and Sandra shared lunches and spoke to each other often. Tom promised Sandra many a time he would take her out on a "proper date," but as the weeks, then months began to fly by and Tom's schedule became more hectic, Sandra gave up hope. In Sandra's mind, Tom was disinterested, so there was no sense in hoping for something that would never happen.A year later, Sandra announced to her fellow employees that she was engaged to be married! When Tom heard the news, he was so shocked he turned white and had to sit down. "How can she do that to me? She should be marrying me, not him," whimpered Tom as a tear fell down his eye.

In that same office building, was employed a middle-aged woman named Helen, who was a divorced mother of a thirteen year old boy. As Helen sipped her coffee at her desk, she reflected on the messy argument she and her son had just before work. This was not their first fight, but the result of years of lack of communication and neglect. The truth of the matter was that Helen's son never knew for certain if his mother loved him or not, and this caused much conflict in their relationship.

The wealthy, elderly owner of the above mentioned building, Mrs. Emily Hawkins, was on her death bed in the hospital. The doctor notified her immediate family and friends, knowing they would want to say their final good-byes. All of Mrs. Hawkins children came, shedding heartfelt tears, but there were no friends to come because the wealthy Mrs. Hawkins never took the time to nurture meaningful friendships.

What these three stories have in common is all their outcomes could have come out very differently if only they would have watered their gardens more carefully. Loving words unspoken, caring gestures never accomplished, time never given; all of these resulted in seeds of friendship and love being choked by bitter weeds of neglect, selfishness, fear, and all things which destroy, rather than build up.

How does your own garden grow?

Is there a special one, two or three flowers you wish to see blossom, and yet it never seems to grow? Then ask yourself how well you are caring for that tender bud. Is it being watered with kindness and thoughtfulness? Is the warmth of love freely administered as does the sun offer it's rays of light? Are the leaves of the flower pruned and nurtured continually with the gifts of time, energy, and self?

As I again ponder that verse which sat upon my wall for so many years of my childhood, it is my hope that, for those people who I "say" I love, be they spouse, children, or friend, that I will do my best to let my love, not be mere lip service, but to let the true heartfelt emotions which fill my heart, overflow and pour out, so that every blossom may be watered and never wither.In like manner, may the reality of God pour out into your own lives, so that your hearts can fully comprehend what is the height, breath, and width of His love.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

email this message to a friend   |   DW Home

Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr