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Pave your garden with good deeds - 18 January 2019

Hennie Symington

Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was once a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went looking for figs on it but found none. So he said to his gardener, ‘Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?’ But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig round it and put in some manure. Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.’” Luke 13:6-19

The old saying goes, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If this were true, then we might just as well give up right now at the start of a new year. But what if the opposite were true? What if, by the grace of God, the way to heaven was paved with good intentions transformed into good deeds? What a change that would be!

Perhaps we should think in more practical terms and more long term about changing the way we live. Here are a few suggestions.

Make the world a better place to live in. There are many ways to do this. Plant a tree, give your undivided attention to a needy person, apologise when you’ve hurt or offended someone in word or deed; try not to gossip or make negative remarks about people who are not like you for one full day.

Complete the good work begun by others. That is how countless service organisations such as the Red Cross, orphanages, homes for terminally ill patients, and hundreds of others continue to survive.

Stop blaming others for everything that goes wrong in society.

Live the way you want your children to live so that the next generation will be inspired to follow in your footsteps.

What if the lamb and the wolf could truly live side by side and they could be lead by a child? Then we could truly start dreaming dreams about a New Jerusalem where God would live among us. God wants us to be holy as he is holy. We may not be perfect like God, but striving to follow in his footsteps, already puts us on the road to a more godly way of life.

Prayer: Father, let not my dreams of a better world be mere wishful thinking. Help me to take a brave step in the direction of a new heaven and a new earth by changing my way of looking at life. Amen

Gardening God’s way - 17 January 2019

Hennie Symington

Jesus went on to say, “The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field. He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens. The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the ear, and finally the ear full of corn. When the corn is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.” Mark 4:26-29

How are you doing with your celestial garden? Here are some gardening tips to help you on your way. Start your garden with Patience. It’s related to the old favourite perennial, Impatience but is far more beautiful and blooms right through the year. It is rooted in love and thrives on kindness and respect for those closest to you. Its best feature is unlimited patience which helps you to walk the second mile with those who struggle, to count your words even under the most trying circumstances and to go on giving long after you’ve done your share of caring.

Another favourite is the Amore Beggaronia. This is not a popular little plant because it demands lots of patience and tender loving care to thrive but comes highly recommended.

My favourite of course is the Anti-frownia Botoxia pot plant. Very popular especially among middle-aged ladies. All it takes is a dash of self-acceptance to bloom. It transforms crow’s feet into laughter lines and makes you much more pleasant to be around. And it doesn’t cost anything!

Then there’s the Get a move on bush – especially useful to more middle-aged and elderly gentlemen who think they know it all and see no need to change or start something new. This plant exudes an inviting fragrance which invites you to become part of God’s wonderful creation. It invites us to make peace with change and discover something new every day. And don’t neglect Peace in the home which is the opposite number of Poison Ivy. This one needs no further explanation.

For more inspiration for your spiritual garden turn to the Bible and study the fruits of the Spirit. Exchange your list with your nearest and dearest and before you know people will be saying: “Goodness me! How he/she has changed. I want some of those little plants in my garden too!”

Prayer: Lord you created us with an inner landscape filled with seed that are good and worth cultivating. Help me to tend my garden so it will bear fruit for all. Amen