In Due Season
by Cindy Allen
We live in a very small rural community in east Texas. It is about 20 minutes from the metropolis of Jacksonville (haha) and I have been blessed to live here most of my life. For the first two years of marriage, Greg and I lived in an apartment in town. It was a great apartment and a good experience, but these two country kids moved back to the woods as soon as we could afford to.
For the first three decades of my life, I attended Friendship Baptist Church, just down the road from our house. My brother and I were those “drug kids”. Every time the door was opened, we were drug in. And how thankful I am for that! Those people shaped me into the adult I am. When I walk through the doors, I see faces, hear voices, and sometimes feel a little sad; so many saints that aren’t with us anymore. So many people who influenced me and others for God. We have a former pastor who often tells people, “Everyone needs a Friendship in their life”, and I totally agree.
Those people let me teach their kids and grandkids and some of them. They allowed me to play the piano, sing specials, and lead the music, when I probably wasn’t the best in the crowd. They loved my family through loss and celebrated milestones. The ladies hosted parties and showers in honor of every major event in my life. They are my people.
This morning I received a very pleasant surprise as I drove by the church. Many years ago, my mom and some others decided to add flowerbeds to the church. They planted and tended and watered. It was a nice addition. But as the years passed, and sadly the people passed, the flower beds were disassembled. So, imagine my surprise when a pink flower was shining brightly this morning. No one has put any effort in to the beds in years, yet here the flower is.
The first thing I thought of was all the wonderful people who labored over the beds in the past. Then I realized the parallel between this flower and the people that were poured into by these precious saints. We often don’t see the fruit produced by the seeds we plant for God. We teach kids, love and pray for people, invite people to our homes, try to influence coworkers, and numerous other things; praying God will use our efforts for his honor and glory. Sometimes we see the results: salvations, lives changed, families restored. Other times we just pray and trust God with the outcome. And just like this flower, the fruits may not show up for years, but God has a plan. If we are faithful to his plan, he will create beautiful flowers for his garden.
This flowerbed has not been tended to in years, but because of the diligent care provided years ago, the seeds were there and beauty was created. God puts people in our lives that we are to give diligent care to. The people of Friendship Baptist Church lived life with me. Look around at the people who are living life with you. These are the people God wants you to be pouring in to. Can it be frustrating at times? Yes. Are we promised that people will make God-honoring choices? No. But we can’t give up. Plant, pull weeds, add fertilizer, what ever it takes to help God’s garden grow. It may be years before the flowers bloom, but while driving past Friendship this morning, I was reminded that God makes all things beautiful in his time.
Prayer: Dear Lord, how can we thank you for all the people you have put in our lives to lead us closer to you? You do so love us. Please help each of us to carry on their legacy and pour into others. Show us who, what, and when you want us to do and give us the gumption to do it. Please Lord help us to pour into others so they in turn can pour into the next generations. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10; II Timothy 2:2; Titus 2
Response: Matthew 5:16 “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
