The Gardener's Way

"...He delights in genuine prayer."

Genuine prayer is all about the heart, a relationship, a pure motive. Having a pure relationship with Jesus takes time, it requires persistence and a searching spirit. We don't get to that place overnight. Just like we don't build a strong friendship with someone we just met; we need to cultivate this relationship for it to grow. We must feed it and water it with true conversation and openness before there is any fruit.

When people use sports analogies to make a point, or to explain a process, they used to lose me. I am not a sports fan, so I just didn't get it. But, I am a gardener and I love getting my hands into the soil, planting a seed and caring for it until there is a beautiful blossom to show for my efforts. Because I love this practice, it makes sense that I would use an analogy depicting this process.

One day at a time is a real gardener's way. No seed will germinate and grow to full potential overnight. It takes many days, weeks even, before the desired results are achieved. The same with prayer, talking to God, building that heavenly relationship. One day at a time. Don't let the soil get dry, water it often. 

When God is speaking and we feel a convicting finger on our hearts, examine this spot, yank up the weed of disobedience or doubt, and continue to fertilize the soil of your heart with more conversation. God loves to watch us grow and thrive. Excuse this analogy if you must, but remember, it all began in a garden a long, long time ago.

Proverbs 15:8