The Vegetable Garden

"Are you packed and ready to go?" Macy's mom called."I'm ready!" Macy exclaimed as she came bounding down the stairs carrying her backpack. She couldn't wait to spend the weekend with Mimi and Pop on their small farm and help them plant a vegetable garden. Macy and her parents lived in a townhouse in the city, so being out in the wide-open countryside was a real treat for her.After Mom dropped her off, Mimi helped Macy get her things unpacked and then they headed out to plant the garden."Here, you hold the seeds and the hoe while I get the wheelbarrow and dirt," Mimi said.Pop had already plowed the garden area for them, so they were set to start planting. As they planted the seeds, Mimi talked about how they would need to make sure the garden was properly watered and weeded until harvest time.Macy sighed. "That sounds like a lot of work." "It is," said Mimi. "But it will be worth it when you see and taste those vegetables."Macy giggled. "My mouth is already watering!" Mom and Mimi made a plan for Macy to come over every Saturday morning during the growing season to help weed and water the garden. Macy worked hard in the garden all summer, and boy, did it pay off! They ended up with a good crop of vegetables and a couple of juicy watermelons."Was all the work worth it?" Pop asked."Definitely!" Macy said as she took another big bite of watermelon.Pop grinned. "Did you know that our lives are like a vegetable garden, Macy? Just like we had to keep the garden watered and weeded so the vegetables would be healthy and grow, we need Jesus to water us spiritually. He does that the moment we put our trust in Him, and He continues to water us with His love and grace throughout our lives.""I sure did enjoy working in the garden with you this summer," said Macy. "I'm glad Jesus is working in my life so I can grow just like our vegetables!" -Lisa Fuller