Thursday, June 14, 2012

Prepare for Growth




The sultry days of summer loom ahead, full of promise and potential. For our yard, this means a number of things. The work of planting is done. Time to make the transition to fertilizing what has been planted.

Beautiful fuchsia and white flowers have graced our azaleas and camellias this year, their nearly perfect blooms reminding us that it is time for their June feeding. To ensure hearty annuals, we apply fertilizer monthly during their growing season. Our perennials follow a different schedule, requiring us to apply fertilizer only once during the summer. Although the needs of each plant-type vary somewhat, each is in need of fertilizer which provides necessary nutrients so each plant can make its own food through photosynthesis.

Surprisingly, we're very similar to these plants. Following salvation, each of us is in need of 'fertilizer' in order to guarantee our proper growth. God gives us the Bible as a guide book to provide the 'nutrients' we need in order to make good life choices.  The Apostle Paul encourages us, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). 

Just as plants have unique requirements, the Lord knows our needs may differ from the needs of others. This poses no obstacle for our Creator. His word is able to meet every need, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

As we allow Christ to fertilize our heart's soil, we will become more and more like the tree described by the prophet Jeremiah, "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (Jeremiah 17:8).

As you care for your garden this summer, choose to allow the Master Gardener to have access to the soil of your heart. Submitting to His will and way will yield fruit beyond compare!

7 comments:

  1. Just saying hi to all our Blog roll members! Wanted to let you know that the KJV Blog Directory has officially relaunched with 2 Great Giveaways going on. We'd love for you to stop and check it out. http://www.kjvblogs.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, KM! Appreciate the update - I'll be sure to stop by! Have a blessed day!

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  2. Our gardens provide lots of inspiration, don't they?

    If I'm not in the Word on a daily basis, my "leaves" droop, "flower buds" fail to open, and my "roots" start to decay.

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  3. Beautiful, Maria. I feel like God's been fertilizing me lately:) Preparing for that season of growth!

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  4. My neighbor took a Master Gardener class and her yard reflects what she learned. Your blog today reminds me that The Master Gardner is always at work (thankfully!) tending us so we can beautify His earth. Thank you!

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  5. Such a great comparison Maria, salvation is not the end, it is the beginning! Putting a plant in the ground is not the end, it is the beginning of a journey of growth, which will result in blooming. Ah well, I don't even know whether that is proper English :) but I love your post today.

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  6. Hi Maria,
    Glad I have visited you here today. Loved your post and you have blessed my heart. Yes-the Master gardener is always at work and I am thankful for all the pruning He has done in my life and all my growth from this!
    Thank you for sharing your powerful and inspirational post!
    Hugs

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