A Christian Garden

July 1992

In our life we grow things, some things are good, some not so good.  Each of us should look at what we are growing and grow only good things.  One of the things to plant in a garden would be some vegetables.

First let us plant some peas.  The first pea to plant would be preparedness.  Paul instructed Timothy, study to show thyself approved of God.  We need to be prayed up, ready to give of ourselves as a mature Christian.  We need to have mature fruits of the spirit ready to give out.

The second pea we need to plant is perseverance.  He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved.  The story is told of Harold Abrahams a young sprinter had just suffered his first ever defeat, after which he was pouting in the stands.  His girl friend tried to encourage him.  He said, If I can't win, I won't run.  His girlfriend answered, If your don't run, you can't win.  He went on to win the 1924 gold metal in the 100 meters.

The third pea we need to plant is politeness.  Gentleness, meekness, kindness, against such there is no law.  The fourth pea is prayer.  Pray without ceasing.  The fifth is promptness.  Promptness is courtesy for others, putting others before yourself, so they do not have to wait on you.

Next to the peas let's plant some squash.  The first thing to squash is gossip. Love speaks no ill toward its neighbor.  Will Rogers said, the only time people dislike Gossip is when it is about them.  He also said, I always like to hear a man talk about himself because then I never hear anything but good.

The second thing to squash is criticism.  Ever notice how a narrow mind and a wide mouth go together.  A man was asked how he knew how to run his motel.   He said, you do not have to know anything, your customers will tell you how to run it.  The third thing to squash is indifference.  In the Good Samaritan, the Priest and Levite were criticized for their indifference.

First peas, then squash, now plant some lettuce.  Let us be faithful.  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find them watching.  Because thou have been faithful over small things, I will make you ruler over many.   Let us be unselfish.  God knows best, he arranged your anatomy as to make it difficult to pat yourself on the back.  Let us be loyal.  For some people to advice them to be themselves would be the worst advice you could give them.  Let us love one another.  The 11th commandment ‑ love one another as I have loved you

Let us be truthful.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  Let us be thankful.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.  The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables a man to count his blessings.

No garden would be complete with out turnips.  Turn up for church.  Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much more as ye see the day approaching. 

Turn up with a smile.  It takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown.  Turn up with determination.  Unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and forever.

We need to review what we have planted in our garden.  Remember that a rose is a weed in a turnip patch.  Don’t settle for good when we can have God’s best.