Jul122026
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I have a modest vegetable garden in pots on the roof, including seven tomato plants, some parsley, basil, and peppers. The plants talk to me. Not with words, of course, but by revealing their struggles to me. When I see a few yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant, it tells me it needs more water. When I see yellow leaves at the top, it tells me I have been overwatering the plants and need to make adjustments. On one of those hot days we had, I went up and saw the leaves were curled. That tells me that I need to really soak the soil, not just water as I usually do. I am very happy my plants talk to me because I want to make a really nice Italian dinner. I am sure that my plants are happy that I am listening to them.
God is also happy when we listen to Him because that is how we will bear much fruit.
I needed a report from the main office so I could get my finances in order. I e-mailed in a request, and I got a message: “I will get to it when I get to it.” A month later I requested again and my response was similar, “We are very busy right now so you are going to have to wait and be patient.” I realized I now have options. The first is to dash off an angry email with lots of guilt but I know that will not work. I could send a letter to the boss, but I know the boss loves a happy people in the office, and he will not say anything negative. So, I said to myself, “Its time to make a few blueberry pies.” I took the extra pie up to the office, knocked on the door of the troublemaker, and said, “I heard you like pies, I made an extra one for you. Would you like it? The next day I got all the paper work I needed.
Christ said, listen to my voice and you will bear fruit. If you love your enemies, turn the other check, give your coat, you will bear fruit. So the next time you are picked on by others, or your roots are scorched or the thorny personalities are getting to you, you will remember it may be time to make a blueberry pie.

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