Way to Grow
A small corner near the water tank was just crying for plants. Recently
cleared of weeds and edged with cement, it made a delightful kitchen
handy-garden, just right for a few of those vegetables deemed essential every
day.
We planted two red capsicums for flavour, two herbs for health and two tomatoes
for food. And two pansies to feed the soul. They were quite small plants but
they were exactly what we wanted, expected and required. They were perfect in
every detail and all they had to do was to grow. We provided them richly and
liberally with everything they needed - healthy soil, water, space, sunlight,
shelter from harsh conditions, and our loving attention every day. There was
nothing to hinder them.
They were designed to become mature enough to produce food, both physical food
and food for the soul.
Now, I have a feeling we are a bit like plants. We start off like new little
plants with minds that reach out like roots towards nutrition and water and
space. We search for sunlight joy, for protective shelter and we crave loving
community. We need rich food if we are to grow to the full.
And let us never forget there is plenty of encouragement for all of these
things. The little book of Ephesians is full of encouragers, such as
Ephesians 1:7,8 or
2:7
and
4:15.
But one of my favourites is this: ‘With deep roots and firm foundations, may
you, in company with God’s people, be strong to grasp what is the breadth and
length and height and depth of Christ’s love, and to know it, though it is
beyond knowledge.’ (Ephesians
3:16).
Good food is there for the taking
Elizabeth Price