My grandma always had beautiful flowers and a picture perfect vegetable garden. When I grew up I discovered her secret. If a plant was puny and scrawny looking, she pulled it up and planted something else. She and grandpa raised nine children. They depended on their garden to help feed the family. She had learned, long before I ever know her, not to waste any time on plants that were not thriving and producing food.

I am just the opposite of grandma when it comes to my plants. If they are looking sad but still have any green on them at all, I’ll keep watering and tending to them. I always hope they will come out of it and be all that they can be! I want to give them one more chance. I’m more like a dear friend of mine, who once dumped out a house plant that wasn’t doing well. A few days later she walked by it outside and it had greened up and was looking a little better. So, she repotted it and brought it back in the house.

Thinking of this comparison reminded me of the parable of the fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit. The owner of the vineyard wanted to cut it down. But the keeper of the vineyard wanted to give it a little more time and nurturing. He wanted it to have one more chance to bear fruit for his master.

I’m so glad that the Lord gives us a chance to grow and bear fruit! But ask yourself, am I bearing fruit for the Lord or am I just taking up space in the garden?

Luke 13:6-9 (KJV) He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.