Advent Lutheran Church

"The Patience of a Gardener"

 

 

 

 

“There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?  I tell you, No: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem?    I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish”.

And he told this parable:  “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.  Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure.  And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

The Patience of a Gardener

This passage makes me think about the last time my fingernails were really dirty.  It was from planting flower bulbs in the garden and tending to newly potted herbs.  Later washing my hands, I had to work extra hard to remove the reddish clay from under those nails.  When I turned my fingers back around, I longed to see cleanliness – but more importantly, I wanted to smell the fragrant blooms and taste the wondrous seasoning flavors!  Don’t we love the uniqueness of these gifts?

But – that all requires patience.  It is months before the flowers will bloom and the herbs spread and are strengthened enough to use.  And there is a curious mix between giving time for bearing their best and judging that the plants should be pulled up NOW!  The Gardener knows what is in the essence of the one who is growing.  

 

God knows our hearts.  Are we hardened and unwilling?  Or are we open and seek forgiveness for what we do and leave undone?  When I pray the same prayer too many times at the Communion Rail, it seems I am reciting last week’s list of sins.  Perhaps they haven’t really changed and I am stuck in the mud.  I also pray God doesn’t notice.  Are there worse sins than others or is there a multiplying effect when ‘little’ sins pile up and continue to magnify out of control? 

 

Then I wonder if the Gardener is really concerned with the specific dirt under the nails and would rather focus on the garden’s desire to grow, repenting beauty, and productive fruit. 

Is God a patient Gardener?   Does God think we are wasting the soil on which we stand?  Maybe God will offer a little more time…

 

There are many days where I look around and find all too quickly the ‘manure’ on my shoes as I walk through my daily life.  All I want to do is to just get it off!  Many times it is the ‘un-chosen’ situations we find ourselves in – when we can’t find the job we really want; or others don’t make the decisions we want them to make; or we lose an innocence or someone in tragedy.  It is tempting to worry about our own predicaments and turn away when others are also stuck in the mud, too.  Do we close ourselves off from helping others?  Are we too busy trying to keep our own shoes clean and resist what will help us to grow and to be all God desires for us to be? 

 

Prayer:  Gardener God, only You know the future of our blossoming and seasoned lives.  Help us to trust in You, intentionally turning away from our sins and toward the growth You long for in us.  May we seek to become fruit for Your Kingdom!  In Christ, Amen.