SEEDS OF LIFE

Already he . . . is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:36 (NASB)

For decades I’ve enjoyed a hobby of growing citrus trees. It began one day quite simply, removing seeds from a tangerine for my daughter.

One seed had a little green sprout. I could hardly disregard the hope of new life emerging there. And so, with the planting of a few seeds in a pot of soil, some sunshine and water, thus began a hobby I love.

I’ve planted many varieties of citrus seeds; oranges, lemons, clementines and grapefruit. At present, wintering in my basement under a plant light, are tiny kumquat and Key Lime trees.

One tree in particular grew marvelously over fifteen years. As it grew I transplanted it into larger pots, moving it outside in the summertime. One season it stretched too tall for our ceiling and required pruning four feet off the top. It then grew in diameter monopolizing an entire corner of our family room.

It was a bittersweet day realizing it needed a larger space. I contacted the horticulturist at Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, a magnificent glass house dating back to the 1800s. They were happy to give it a home where it now thrives. In their continued care, together we’ve shared the joy of seeing it produce blossoms and lemons.

I’m reminded of the parable of the sower. I find joy in the planting, not only citrus seeds, but seeds of faith in the lives of others by serving and encouraging them through God’s word. It isn’t necessary for me to see the seeds to fruition, but to be faithful in my part along their journey.

Father, show us how to be faithful gardeners of the heart.

©2020 Bonnie Mae Evans

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NASB)

Once again officers responding to a call in the line of duty have laid down their lives protecting others. Our hearts are broken. A community is mourning and families are hurting . . . aching, trying to comprehend the unbelievable void. Many questions are left unanswered.

We look to God and beg to make sense of it all. Human understanding only takes us so far. In these times we must stand on what we know to be true. God is good—all of the time and He absolutely, unreservedly, deeply loves us. He is weeping with us, but it does not end there.

Long ago, he knew this day would come, so He prepared a way for us to be one with Him and experience His comfort and peace. He wanted us to know complete assurance of His unfathomable love.

Thus, He did the unimaginable. He allowed His precious son, Jesus to be nailed to the cross for our redemption. He knows crushing grief. He was there as the thin blue line of Jesus' vein was pierced by nails driven through His flesh to the wood of the cross. The blue line poured forth red as His blood ran down to cover us and wash away all our sins.

Police officers stand as the thin blue line that protects society from evil and chaos while on this earth.

Jesus erased the line that separated us from God eternally. Forever we can rejoice in His presence—no more fear, pain or death.

Thank you Father, for all of the brave ones who stand to protect us while on this earth. Thank you, that Jesus crossed that line and opened Heaven. Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

The Easter Pageant

Dear Friends...I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Jude 1:3b (NIV)

Years ago, a local church presented an Easter pageant. My husband and I attended, along with my daughter and son-in-law and my mother. Mother sat on the end seat next to the aisle. When Pontius Pilate washed his hands and the crowds cried out "Crucify him!" there wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium.

Mother was completely engrossed in the play as the soldiers marched a beaten and bloodied Jesus down the aisle and up to Golgotha's hill. As the last solider passed, Mother reached out and smacked his shoulder with her umbrella. The soldier turned around, surprised. She realized then what she had done and, embarrassed, she ducked her head, shielding her face with her hand.

The suffering of Jesus was very real to Mother, and she had forgotten momentarily that this was a play. She was defending Jesus, her Savior.

As Christians, we should be ready to defend our faith in Jesus too. He willingly sacrificed His life on the cross. What He did for us deserves defending.

Lord Jesus, may the Easter memorial remind us of Your sacrifice for us. We thank You for the joy of Your resurrection and the one to come for all mankind. Amen.

© 2011 E. Bonnie Ryan

The Wisdom of Faith

For we walk by faith, not by sight--2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

Seeing is believing. We’re all familiar with this expression. Unless we can look at something with our eyes we do not believe it exists. Yet for Christians, the opposite is true. We believe without seeing, which is another way of saying we walk, or live, by faith. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6) In order to claim and receive His promises we must believe that He exists even though we have not seen Him.

At first glance, it seems supernatural. As human beings our perception is limited to the physical world, that is until we let go and let God take control. Then we develop sight beyond sight, or the ability to believe in what our normal senses do not perceive. We are able to do this as we study God’s word and incorporate it into ourselves and into our lives. As a result, having faith becomes the most natural thing in the world. Natural, but not necessarily easy, since belief in the unseen is not considered normal to the average person. As Christians, though, we are called to embrace the unseen God wholeheartedly. Then we can begin to receive the peace and the power He promises every true believer.

Heavenly Father, help me to keep my faith in you regardless of outward appearances. May my eyes stay on you always for you are my hope and my strength.

© Copyright 2008 G. Francis Johnson