Matthew 13:31-32 AMPC
Another story by way of comparison He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field.
Of all the seeds it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and find shelter in its branches.
Waking early this morning, I watched the soft sun of the dawn bathe the garden in golden hues.
Then, to my surprise, one of the fox cubs appeared on the lawn. He was playing with the flowers, in particular, he was bouncing a purple frond of the buddleia with his paw.
I was so transfixed with the joy of it, that I forgot to grab my camera. [Later I wasn't so comatose].
It got me thinking that the cub had found a safe place in our garden. He wasn't afraid to relax and play and be himself.
It has taken a lot of patience and nurture to bring the cub to this place of trust. We've had to be gentle and leave tasty food to indicate we mean no harm.
Gradually he's been convinced that he's in a safe environment.
Later something even more amazing happened - the fox we called "Skank" [because his tail is eaten away with mange] - joined the cub in the garden during daylight. Previously, he has only been captured on the night camera. It's so great that he feels safe enough to venture out and be seen even though he doesn't measure up to the beauty of the cubs.
The analogy is that my heart is like a garden. Is it a safe place for people to inhabit?
Are there flowers of love and acceptance growing there?
Am I leaving tasty morsels of encouragement and forgiveness for folk to feed on?
Or are there hidden traps of offence or poisonous plants of gossip, grudges and prejudice?
Perhaps I need to examine the environment of my heart to ensure that I'm not exchanging the garden of God's love for the concrete tower blocks of selfish gain! Where no one can get in and nothing can flourish.
Jesus tells us the Kingdom of God in our lives starts off with a tiny seed of faith which grows so that others can come and find a safe place to be loved and nurtured.
How safe are people in my circle of influence?
I need to grow to be like Jesus - a person who is a garden of acceptance and love! A safe place to be who we truly are!
John 13:34 AMPC
I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
Comments