Labor of Love

Driving around my city I noticed two gardeners tending flower gardens. It was a very, warm morning, and they were out working, sweat pouring off their brow. Many enjoyed the fruits of their labor, beautiful flowers of a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Talking to gifted gardeners, you will quickly realize they tend gardens because they choose to. These gardeners were tending community gardens for others to enjoy.

Some onlookers comment, “That’s too much work. It takes too much time. That’s not my job, let someone else do it.” Or point and give their two cents, yet offer no help. This negativity would be like weeds; the things we wouldn’t want growing in our garden. Who would want that negativity feeding their fruit?

Many times, I sit in my backyard sanctuary, surrounded by lovely flowers, and breathe in the beauty. So peaceful. So serene. It’s a place to come relax and be restored. I’m thankful my mom passed on her gifted green thumb to me. This growth is a miracle I never get tired of enjoying. I don’t love weeding, but I know it’s necessary to reach the creative canvas I have in my mind.

I love eating a ripe, juicy, sweet, garden tomato. The seeds need to be nursed and delicately tended to. Then there’s a stage to shelter, fertilize, water, and prune as the fruit starts to appear. Plenty depends on the care that goes into taking care of these plants to produce the reward of mouth-watering fruit.

For many gardeners, its the thrill of watching the crops grow, the fruit form before their eyes. These miracles make me think of the Ultimate Gardener. He nourishes and cares for each stage because He has an ultimate harvest in mind for our lives. What is the best fertilizer to help produce this growth? All these gardeners use the same secret sauce, Love.

Imagine if everyone used love as their main fertilizer to grow fruit in their lives, communities, cities, and countries? Our gardens would be very desirable and enjoyed with all nations. If we would root out the weeds of negativity, judgment, and fear, what a different garden we would have. It might even sound like the Garden of Eden.

In John 15, Jesus showed us how to become fruit bearers. He gave us direction to stay attached to the vine and be nourished. He encouraged us to live and tend our garden like the Ultimate Gardener. What do you see when you look at a fruitful garden? Next time you look at a tomato plant, let its vibrant, red fruit remind you of the labor of love in your community.

“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love.” John 15:9-10