Thursday, June 18, 2009

using my fruit

The kids and I went strawberry pickin' for a second time on Tuesday. My girlfriend, Pam, and I decided we needed to make some strawberry jam. Pam's my jammin' friend. I have only canned jam with her. (I'm not sure I could do it without her..she brings the canner and the expertise) Anyways, we headed out to the strawberry fields early Tuesday morning to gather our berries. The pickin' was nothing like our first trip. Because of all of the rain we have had, a lot of the berries were over-ripe. We really had to search for good berries. They were there, but it was tough pickin'. Much of the fruit was rotting, soggy or moldy. I swear those moldy ones looked like little mice under the strawberry leaves. eeeewwww! While we were picking I commented, "Look what happens when you don't use your fruit." Nobody else seemed to sense the profoundness of my statement. But it really hit me right between the eyes. I've been thinking about it ever since. I believe we've all been given three T's...time, treasures and talent. I also firmly believe that we should use those things to encourage others and glorify the Lord. When we don't use the fruit that we've produced...it just goes to waste. It rots and gets all creepy on the vine. But when we use our time, talent or treasures to bless others, to invest in our children, to spread the good news; we actually produce more fruit. As the fruit gets picked...new fruit has room to grow. The strawberry patch shut down the next day. Too many unused berries went to waste. I don't want to waste my fruit...I want to share it with those in my life, even if I have to boil it and add some sugar. So, I encourage you to use your fruit...really those around you will be blessed!
"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work...." Colossians 1: 10

12 comments:

At Home Mommy Knits said...

All of those yummy jars of jam. I am now on the hunt for a nearby strawberry farm where i can get some fruit for jame :)

Kristyn Knits said...

looks like another successful day of work and fun for you!
you have certainly shared your fruit generously with me. thanks for always being willing to pick off a berry just when I need it!

Sigrun said...

What a lovely and true analogy. In my church we call using your "Time, Talents and Treasure" Stewardship. It is being emphasized to us at every turn. My strawberry plants are just sitting there, trying to bloom, but the plants are not enlarging due to dryness.

Journeying Five said...

looks like a productive day and good thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your encouraging words....so true. And I'm glad you actually got some berries...we were to late!!! =)
Emily

Philigry said...

oh, that looks so good. the berries are almost ready here. i can't wait to take the kids picking.

The WoodLand School said...

Looks delicious!
Our strawberry-picking season was several months ago ... I'm really missing the fresh-plucked taste!

Heather said...

First, the berry jam loos delicious, and I am sure that it was so fun for everyone to create something that you will eat for months to come.

Thank you also for the beautiful words. It really resonated with me.

larissa said...

thanks so much for the wise words. i agree that giving and sharing of oneself is so important - and fulfilling. thank you for "using your fruit" and sharing your time and talent with us!

mark said...

so true, so simple, so profound. thanks for sharing the day, and your personal insight. it is a great challenge and reminder of a fundamental truth. now, my turn for encouragement. you are a talented treasure that always gives time. you have never been guilty of withholding any of those three with anyone in my family! thanks again for a great post.

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, I love homemade preserves. Yum! =0) I think I may have to do something like that with Isaiah . . . maybe apples or something. =0)

Blessings,
Kelly

Stephanie said...

Those jars of jam looks so good. One of these years I'm going to learn how to make jam. For now I'll just live through you.