Cucumbers and Berries
WE WILL REAP WHAT WE SOW.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Galatians 6:7-10.
Verse of the Day: “Don’t get tired of doing what is good” (Galatians 6:9).
Lisa strode into the barn and flopped onto a bale of hay. Her mother was filling a bucket with water from the faucet in the corner.
“Hi, Lisa,” Mom said cheerily. “What have you been up to?”
Lisa watched her mom work for a moment before answering. She wore a sulky look. “Sharon doesn’t want to come to my birthday party this year.”
“She doesn’t?” Mom said.
Lisa shook her head. “She says she’s supposed to go somewhere else. But I think she just doesn’t want to come.”
“Is this the same Sharon who gave you that sweater she knitted herself last year?” Mom asked. She set the bucket on the floor and filled a second bucket.
Lisa’s expression grew even darker. “Yes,” she said. She had hoped her mom had forgotten that, but Mom never seemed to forget anything. Lisa had unwrapped Sharon’s sweater and started laughing and making fun of the sweater. She had even called it “stupid.” All the other girls at the party had laughed too, except for Sharon.
Mom picked up the two buckets. “Can you give me a hand?” she asked Lisa.
Lisa and her mom walked toward the old farmhouse they lived in.
“Would you grab a handful of strawberries off that vine for me?” Mom asked.
Lisa stepped into the garden and leaned over before she realized what her mom had asked her. “Mom,” she said, straightening her back, “these are the cucumbers.”
“Oh, I know I planted cucumbers there, but I thought maybe you could pull a couple of strawberries off anyway.”
“What are you talking about, Mom?” Lisa asked. “I can’t get strawberries off a cucumber vine.” A sudden change in Mom’s expression triggered a realization in Lisa’s mind. “Oh,” Lisa said. “I see what you’re doing.”
“What?” Mom asked innocently.
“This has something to do with me and Sharon, doesn’t it?” Her mom smiled. “You’re saying I’m getting what I deserve, aren’t you?”
Mom shook her head. “No,” she said. “I’m suggesting you’re getting the crop you planted. The Bible says we will reap what we sow. You can’t expect to harvest kindness and friendship unless you plant seeds of kindness and friendship.”
“You’re right, Mom,” Lisa said. She started to step out of the garden.
“Wait a minute,” Mom said. “See if there are any ripe cucumbers on that vine. Talking about food has made me hungry!”
TO DO: The next time you eat cucumbers or strawberries, remember that “you will always reap what you sow” and ask God to help you live in a way that pleases the Spirit of God.
TO PRAY: “Lord, help us to live in a way that pleases you.”