Today’s prayer focus in The Upper Room devotional was Gardeners. The devotion surrounded the beauty of the circle of life of the seed. But the prayer focus is was stood out to me.
When we were growing up, my Grandfather had a huge garden. Fresh vegetables were plentiful. Yet, nothing – and I mean nothing – could beat the strawberries fresh out of that garden.
I don’t know if it was the way he fertilized, or the type of strawberry plant, but those strawberries were incredible. Now, some 20+ years later, I think I figured out the secrets to Grandpa’s strawberries:
> He loved to garden. It was truly a passion of his and he did it well.
> He knew the importance of patience in the garden. He didn’t try to rush the growth process at all. He knew that “good things come to those who wait.” Now, that’s not to say that he didn’t sneak a bite off the vine every once in awhile, but he always seemed to know which of the sneak peeks would leave you begging for more.
> Finally, what made those strawberries the best you would ever eat was that they were Grandpa’s strawberries.
So, today’s prayer focus brought a smile to my face. Not just because I love strawberries and especially Grandpa’s strawberries, but rather because the lessons of passion, patience, and love that he was teaching through the growing of thosae strawberries wasn’t lost.
Miss your strawberries, Grandpa. And most of all, I miss you! But, I’m pretty sure you have a pretty decent size garden and are still growing those strawberries and when my number’s punched, I hope it’s right at the beginning of the strawberry harvest!
