Bearing Fruit

Last year I had the honor of accompanying my daughter on a mission trip to Lexington, KY to work with refugee children.  Of course, my intention was to be a chaperone.  I didn't think about what I would learn on that trip.

The missionaries we worked with were amazing - full of vision and purpose.  The whole time we were there I was amazed, stunned and often skeptically of their compassion.  Yes, I knew it was ligitimate.  Yes, I knew it was sincere. Yes, I knew it was from God and not their own vision.  However, I had a hard time reconciling their sense of purpose and vision with my lack of it.

I couldn't imagine planting fruit trees on an easement of a busy street - so years from now - children could grab a piece of fresh fruit on the way to school.  Even more unthinkable, I couldn't imagine taking garbage cans full of water across six lanes of traffic to water the trees.  But this dedicated family saw what these trees had to offer - not the work it took to get there.

I often look at my own life and getting through the day with my view of the daily schedule in tact is my definition of a 'good day'.  When is the last time I did something that was eternal...that thought of the future...that was one step closer to the call that God has sewn in my heart?

As my daughter prepares to go on this trip without me this year, I think back to the things God taught me on that trip.  The one quote I remember most was from the director of a commuity garden.  We spent some time weeding the plants there.  We worked through the blackberry bushes - pulling weeds and popping sweet, juicy berries into our mouths.  The director encouraged us to eat as many berries as we wanted because the more fruit is given by the plant the more it will produce.

Isn't that like our lives? The more we give - the more we are willing to give. The more we see the opportunity to give. The more it is part of our lives - not just a sacrifice, but a part of the way we walk out our daily routine.