There is only one week left in October, and Southwest Kansas has not had a killing frost. I have never had this amount and variety of garden produce to harvest this late into Fall. Zucchini, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, peppers – banana, bell, cayenne, cherry, green beans, and a lonely red beet were awaiting me this morning. Plus, the cayenne and cherry pepper plants are loaded with peppers still ripening.
Each year I marvel at the results of planting a tiny seed and giving it a bit of TLC. However my greatest enjoyment is the harvest. I love serving and eating FRESH produce. I also thoroughly enjoy “putting up”. I fill my big upright freezer first, and then can the rest. Freezer and shelves are both loaded for serving and eating home grown summer savory goodness all winter.
It’s like that with our lives. Seeds are planted, but what we do with that seed determines the growth and quality of our fruit. In John 15, Jesus refers to himself as the “true vine”, and we are the “branches.” Jesus says, in John 15:4-5:
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” NLT
Much the same as Paul prayed for the Christians of Colosse, today I pray for you.
“…[I] ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. [I] also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy always thanking the Father…” Col 1:9-12 NLT
homespun happenings 