"GROW SOMETHING YOURSELF WITH GOD'S HELP" DAVID BORDEN

                "GROW SOMETHING YOURSELF WITH GOD'S HELP."

                  It's true that only God can make something grow.

                      You can prepare the soil, plant a seed,

                 Water it, and even pick the fruit when the

                      Season is right, But there is a miracle that

                 Happens somewhere in between--a miracle that

                      turns one cell into two and more. Everything

                 You eat is a miracle of life and growth somewhere

                      Down the line . When you eat something that 

                 You've  had a hand in growing--something you've

                      Waited for, cared for, and worked hand in hand

                 With God for-- you're reminded of how very

                     Dependent you are on God for the most basic

                 Necessities of life.

               So grow some herbs in your kitchen window.

                    Plant a fruit tree in your back yard. Join others

                In gardening a neighborhood vegtable co-op..

                     Then, watch the miracle. Manna is the only

               Food that appeared overnight. Every other food takes

                     Time to grow to maturity, whether it's a 

               Zucchini in the garden-- oe even a "hamburger

                     On the hoof." Watching and waiting for what you've

               Planted helps you better appreciate what you

                    Pick up at the grocery store. Every item in the

               Produce section, every loaf of bread  in the bakery

                   And every jar of pickles on the shelf is a team

              Effort. The team captain is God, but countless

                  Others are involved in providing you with all the

              Nutritious options you have to choose from day 

                  To day. Allow your gratitude to grow right

              Along with your garden. 

             Once your own produce has reached the peak

                  Of perfection, celebrate your first bite. In the 

             Old Testament, the "first fruits" of every harvest

                  Were offered to God. You can do the same 

             By offering a heartfelt word of gratitude

                  for your God-given gift of fruit, vegetables, or

            Herbs. It's only through God's grace that they are

                 Available at your table. That's why returning a

            A word of "grace" to God at mealtime-- or any

                Other time, for that matter--- is an appropraite

           Response.

Isn't it wonderful that we have a great God who  provides us 

with these material blessings? But, he provided us with even greater 

blessings when He gave His Son to die on the cross that

we might live in heaven with Him forever!

(Byrl Brockman)