It’s the little things. My heart is happy. And this after a very burdensome last couple of weeks. My first ripe tomato!
Sometimes the process for bearing fruit is a hard wait (and weight). We may wonder why it’s taking so long to see what we want to see. But Jesus is doing more than you know in the wait; in your process…in your heart.
And nothing brings about sweeter, more colorful fruit than finding rest in that wait by letting yourself be loved where you are, as you are. He doesn’t just love the fruit HE causes you to bear, He loves all of you in all of your process, from before the seed to the full display of His fruitfulness in your life. Yes, even and most especially in your frailty and brokenness.
Last night, a sudden and wild windstorm burst out of nowhere and swept over our house. While I rushed outside to help my husband get all of his work supplies into a safe place, I quickly prayed over my garden and the tender sunflower shoots that just started springing up around our yard. When morning arrived, I hastened to check on them. Other than being a little wind-whipped most everything was intact.
However, there were a couple of fragile vines from my grape tomato plant that had snapped right where the weight of the wind had bent them over their trellis. It was then, the Lord placed it on my heart to relieve them by gently pruning them right where they were wounded, reducing the weight of their burden thus allowing healthier fruit to grow.
I love that. He takes our broken places, our wounded spaces, lifting and freeing us from being weighed down in our hurts and heaviness, and redeems and restores all of it with beautiful fruit as we learn to let go and let Him be God. Ahhhh…the winds of change; His furious love!
Just remember, child of God, you’re not responsible for the growing. He is. But simply believing in His love, grace and faithfulness towards you will be the watering of all the promises planted within you. Jesus said He IS the vine and you ARE the branch (John 15:5). You’re not trying to be the branch, you already are the branch! HE made you to be the branch through HIS finished work in His death, burial and resurrection. You get to BE in Him, BE His and remain in His love for you. (For you are the crown of all His creation and you are His fruit!).
Your fruit, however, is never produced out of striving or self-effort, nor by your trying to be pleasing to God or others. It is birthed out of simple trust while beholding His goodness. When you see the real Him, you see yourself. You are the apple of His eye and He is your identity. And the purpose of the process is always intimacy with Him. The closer He draws you, the more you’ll see thriving new growth within your soul.
He Himself is your fruit and everything you need is found in Him. He is the Tree of Life that nourishes you and shades you in His grace. He is the One who replaces the weeds and barrenness that creep in from the rotten tree of the knowledge of good and evil (the tree of performance and self-righteousness) with lush green pastures of peace and abundance.
“I AM the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I AM like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from Me.” Hosea 14:8 NLT
It’s all Him. He calls you and cares for you. He frees you and feeds you. He protects you. He heals you. He comforts you. He holds you. He leads you. Beloved, feed on this truth daily…and let the fresh HOPE of your Eternal Reality sprout up continually in the garden of your heart.
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes
Ps. If you’re wondering what I’ll be doing with that first prized tomato of mine…I think I’ll go have myself a BLT (Be Loved Tomato sandwich;)