Garden of Grace

January 1, 2013

’Sir, give it one more chance.  Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.  If we get figs next year, fine.  If not, then you can cut it down.’” (vs. 8,9)

I wonder, as I begin the first day of a new year, if this is how Jesus sees me.  Does He, with the fresh new start, look, and say, “Give her yet one more chance.  Leave her for another year, and I’ll give close personal attention to her, everything she could possible need to produce fruit …. and let’s see what happens.”

Choosing Jesus today ...... this moment, .... and every moment.  I have a "one more chance" from the God of  second, third and fourth chances.  I have another opportunity, with all the resources of heaven, to be today who God has designed me to be.  He has turned His "special attention" to me, and is providing me with all I need for healthy growth through His Word and His unlimited resources!!  If I fail to bear fruit, it will not be the fault of the Gardener ......  Oh Lord, I surrender my heart and life to You afresh this morning.  Longing to respond to the Gardener's patient care and special attention to the details of my life and then to bear the fruit God has created me to produce - one more chance - one more year.  May today and tomorrow and this year bear His imprint on the soil of my life, that at the end of 2013 my garden will be full of the fragrance of His presence.