Fruit

Good evening! Have you had a relaxing weekend? I sure hope you have! Mine has been--yet gone by too fast. I am currently listening to the pitter patter of rain on my window in harmony with the wood chimes hanging outside my front door. My dogs are fast asleep at my feet, my husband watching the basketball game, and all is well at the Seals house! Welcome to my corner:)
Several months ago, one of my dear friends gave us 2 tomato plants. Now, I have never grown fruits and vegetables before. I cannot even keep an orchid alive which requires little water and sun. Needless to say, one of the tomato plants died before we even dug it a hole to root in. The other has kept my attention as I water it daily, minus the days it has rained. My husband tilled up the hard Georgia soil, filled it up with Miracle Grow, and placed our first tomato plant into God's earth. To me, that sounds like the makings of a great start for our fruit!
While looking on as it grows, it reminds me of the care God has put into my life. The time He has taken to water me with His scripture, with Christian friends, to teach my husband that He may lead me, to plant me in the foundation of His hands, till my heart and mind when I am too stubborn to see clearly. He never gives up on His own. And I am incredibly thankful for that. I want to grow into the woman God predestined me to be. I want to be the wife He calls me to be which will enable our marriage to be as God intended. But if I neglect prayer, communication with God, reading His word, spending time in fellowship, and serving those in need, then my longing to be closer to Christ is just words.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" John 15:1-11.
Today, I went outside to see 3 tomatoes now revealing themselves beneath pretty yellow flowers. My tomato plant is bearing fruit. If the little bit of work that I have put into it can bring life, how much more will all the plans God has made for me bring life if I abide in Him?!