I’m not much of a gardener. If there was an opposite to green fingers, maybe brown thumbs, I have them. Pot plants come into my house at their own peril and they can count themselves lucky if they last three months.
A tomato plant grew itself in an old tin bath that had been used by the previous owners of the house as a sort of compost area. I was so excited to see tomatoes grow and ripen. Unfortunately the plant died before all the green tomatoes could ripen and we cut it off at the ground. Lo and behold , it sprouted again. Before we went to the South Coast last month, it had four green tomatoes. Inspired by this miracle of nature, I started putting suspect tomatoes in the bath and watched little seedlings sprout after a while.
Now I see my inspirational tomato plant is dying and it doesn’t look like we will ever get to eat the four tomatoes. The leaves have all withered and turned yellow or brown.
I googled it. Seems like my plant might be suffering from a fungal disease. I found some bright blue fungicide and sprayed not only the dying plant, which I don’t think I can save, but also the newer ones. Here’s hoping I might yet see some fruit.
Psalm 1 refers to a person whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3 NIV)
Sin is like a fungus which is easily spread and in the end is deadly. I would much rather live a fruitful life than a life characterised by withering leaves. According to Psalm 1, the secret is to delight in God’s Word, to meditate on it day and night. That is the fungicide.
Fortunately, God is a much better gardener than I am and I can trust Him to take any action He deems necessary to ensure that I live a fruitful life. However, I am neither a tomato plant nor a tree and the Father respects my God-given free will. I would need to submit to His care and love if I want to live the life described in Psalm 1.
My Prayer
Father God, you know I can’t live the kind of life you ordained for me on my own. Please forgive me for my inherent sin and human tendencies. Please continue to be involved in my life and take charge. Create in me a love for Your Word. May I delight in it and meditate on it constantly. Thank You. Amen.
Coffee in the Rain 