I have a hobby in the summer, I enjoy planting and tending my vegetable garden. Not only do I take pleasure from the outdoor work, but Renie and I both enjoy the fresh tomatoes and other vegetables that we grow.
Before I started, I took the time to plan it all out according to plants that I wanted to grow, garden size needed, and its location, as I wanted it close to my water source. Good thinking, so far, huh? I also knew that I wanted it to be protected from Oklahoma's scorching afternoon sun, so I carefully placed it in a spot that is covered by trees after about 2:00 PM. Building a form, I raised it off the rocky ground, placed a plastic barrier underneath and up the sides to keep out all unwanted weeds and baby trees, and thenfilled it with excellent soil.
So now, I have a protected garden spot that is built in a way that I do not struggle with weeds, and this spring I have even built a permanent net covering to keep the deer out, as that is a common problem for us in this area.
But...I overlooked one important thing. I didn't allow for enough sunlight, because of a tree on the east side of my garden that has grown each year and is now creating shade problems for this carefully constructed garden of mine. My plants are struggling to get enough sunlight, because of a few branches that are blocking the sun.
So, a few days ago, I cut back some of those branches that are in the way of my precious garden. After cutting away a couple, I noticed immediately that the tomatoes plants were already basking in more sunshine. I am sure they are 'happier' and will produce more and better fruit for me this year. Then it dawned on me - it's the same with a lot of believers.
We think we are doing a good job living our lives; we would tell anyone who asks, "I am doing the best that I can." But sometimes, there are things that have grown up in our life that have reached the point of blocking the very thing we need most. These distractions, or barriers, are not necessarily "bad", but they are overshadowing our walk with Him. Oh, we can produce some fruit occasionally, but truthfully, we are far from where we could be.
Could you be one of those who needs to trim out a few things from your life, in order to become healthier and more productive for your own sake and for the Kingdom?
Before I started, I took the time to plan it all out according to plants that I wanted to grow, garden size needed, and its location, as I wanted it close to my water source. Good thinking, so far, huh? I also knew that I wanted it to be protected from Oklahoma's scorching afternoon sun, so I carefully placed it in a spot that is covered by trees after about 2:00 PM. Building a form, I raised it off the rocky ground, placed a plastic barrier underneath and up the sides to keep out all unwanted weeds and baby trees, and thenfilled it with excellent soil.
So now, I have a protected garden spot that is built in a way that I do not struggle with weeds, and this spring I have even built a permanent net covering to keep the deer out, as that is a common problem for us in this area.
But...I overlooked one important thing. I didn't allow for enough sunlight, because of a tree on the east side of my garden that has grown each year and is now creating shade problems for this carefully constructed garden of mine. My plants are struggling to get enough sunlight, because of a few branches that are blocking the sun.
So, a few days ago, I cut back some of those branches that are in the way of my precious garden. After cutting away a couple, I noticed immediately that the tomatoes plants were already basking in more sunshine. I am sure they are 'happier' and will produce more and better fruit for me this year. Then it dawned on me - it's the same with a lot of believers.
We think we are doing a good job living our lives; we would tell anyone who asks, "I am doing the best that I can." But sometimes, there are things that have grown up in our life that have reached the point of blocking the very thing we need most. These distractions, or barriers, are not necessarily "bad", but they are overshadowing our walk with Him. Oh, we can produce some fruit occasionally, but truthfully, we are far from where we could be.
Could you be one of those who needs to trim out a few things from your life, in order to become healthier and more productive for your own sake and for the Kingdom?
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