PLANTING=FERTILIZING AND TENDING!

“He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then said he to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said unto him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9. (NKJV).

“Grandfather. The story? Let's finish it.” He smiled, lifted the book.

“‘He’ll never amount to anything. Look at his history,' the sheriff said.

“‘No. I’ll never give up.’ His mother lifted her chin. She'd never believe her son was no good. She'd read The Parable of the Fig Tree.

“When the owner of the vineyard demanded the tree be cut down, the keeper of the vineyard asked for more time. ‘Let me work the soil, fertilize it, tend it,’ he said.

“She would do the same for her boy. He was worth more than a million fig trees. She’d dedicated him to the Lord when he was a young child. Was she not his keeper?

“She fell to her knees, asked the Lord for wisdom and guidance, and wept as she prayed. ‘You can do anything, Lord.’ 

“Her friend when asked for prayer support, said. ‘What if He doesn’t answer your prayer?’

“‘He will, but if He doesn’t answer as I ask, I know with confidence He knows best. I trust Him.’” Grandfather looked up.

“What happened?” Timmy's eyebrows dipped. Grandfather shrugged.

“We’re not told the end of the story but our Lord Jesus knows I need to get down to business. It’s not enough to chat with the Owner of the Vineyard. He knows me and wants me to see what He can do when I trust Him.” 

Timmy tilted his head. “What about digging around the tree?”

Grandfather smiled. “Ahh. That's me, on my knees, pouring out my heart in prayer--tending and fertilizing.”

Timmy grinned, hugged his grandfather. “Love you.” Grandfather hugged him tight.

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake me even when I'm the most pitiful tree in the vineyard. His love for me, the most powerful ingredient, is the secret of bearing fruit as I am tended. He offers His love to you. Think about that!