Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

(New Revised Standard Version)

*Nearest picture I could find - this looks most unhealthy!

Thoughts

When we moved to Pembrokeshire there were two Corderlyne trees in our front garden, but over the years they became straggly and their leaves (I called them 'wands') would change colour from green to pale yellow and drop all over the garden. Sometimes there would be dozens.

Inevitably, they had to be cut down and I was assured they were dead! Well now, some four years later, both stumps have sprouted new healthy trees, and seem set for a long life.

Jesus uses fruit trees in today's parable, but it reminds me of my Corderlyne trees. The evidence of damage to trees can be a lack of fruit, or a refusal to keep their leaves, among other things. We also produce fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Out of the goodness in our heart, good things are produced, out of the evil in our heart bad things are produced. But perhaps drastic pruning can change our lives!

Saturday 12th September, follow up thoughts

Lord God,
You teach us to change our way of life,
and to produce the fruits of the Spirit,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
With Your help may we change our lives,
to follow more nearly
the way You would have us be.
Amen.