Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variableness, neither shadow or turning.
—James 1:17
Lessons From The Garden
by Earline Penrod
Over the past few years, my friend, Nancy, has given me many plants. Every time she thins out her garden, she puts the overflow into pots and shares them with her friends. I am fortunate enough to be one of those friends.
Many of those plants have come with something extra growing around the bases of their stems. One rose has a bed of baby’s breath encircling it; a crepe myrtle has a huge gladiolus that sprouts right up through the middle each spring; a rose-of-Sharon has mothered a tiny wild strawberry that is stretching out in all directions; and goodness knows how many delicate little forget-me-nots are sprinkled through-out my flower beds.
Isn’t that how it always seems to be with a gift that is given from the heart? It isn’t just the gift itself, but all the joy and pleasure and warm feelings that can radiate out from it, often even touching lives other than the actual recipient.
When Jesus died at Calvary, the awesomeness of that gift He gave to mankind didn’t end there. Rather, it was just the beginning. Springing forth from the base of the cross were His blessings, gifts and promises without number. And for those who believe in Him, the greatest gift of all is the promise of Heaven and the gift of eternal life with Him. V
Earline Penrod lives in Washington.
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