Tomatoes In My Garden

Luke 8:17 – For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. (NIV)

A little over a year ago, we moved to an adult-styled living complex. We have a home with green grass and a well-groomed garden. There is an area in which to plant a few flowers of our own.

With my husband's retirement, I don't have the time to do all the gardening I used to do, and we do not have the space for a full garden. There is just one thing: I love to have a tomato plant to bear lovely tomatoes in the late summer.

I asked my husband to pick up two plants for me, so that I could slip them into the little flower garden. He came home with a really good bargain: a box of six plants for the price of two. Now, imagine me trying to plant, unnoticed, six tomato plants in a small area! I did it, and the plants are small and inconspicuous now. But what's ahead?

The sin we have in our lives is like my tomato plants. It all started so innocently — the little tomato plants did not seem to be a really big deal. I thought I could hide them, when they were so small, and they would not be noticed.

I know that I should not have planted these tomato plants, but I allowed temptation to take root in my heart. If I leave these plants they will grow and bear fruit, and they will be seen by all.

So it is with sin. Let us not allow sin to grow in our heart. Let's confess it and ask God for His forgiveness. We should never attempt to hide anything from God. He knows our hearts.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, rule our hearts and minds. Let us not be tempted to let sin creep into our lives. Let us never seek to hide sin from you, for you know our every thought. Amen.