This spring we decided we would plant a small garden. Libbi requested watermelons, Randy wanted to grow a prize- winning giant pumpkin, and my top priority was tomatoes. For the sake of tradition, we had to have zucchini and sweet corn. I felt like we got off to a great start and sure enough, a week after we planted the seeds, everything was sprouting. Checking the garden every day after we did chores became part of the routine. By June, the zucchini and tomatoes were producing, the corn was shoulder height and there were pumpkin and watermelon vines going everywhere. That was about the time our Texas heat kicked into high gear. Along with the heat, came the wind, the worms, and the grasshoppers. Despite all my effort, the grasshoppers and worms destroyed the sweet corn. Once the 114-degree days rolled around, the grasshoppers took over everything. Our prize- winning pumpkin that had grown a little larger than a basketball, just melted in the heat. We had zucchini and tomatoes for a little while before the grasshoppers managed to strip every leaf away. The best part about this project was knowing what we did wrong, and what we will do different next year. God probably feels like this when he looks at us and all the mistakes we make. Thankfully, He keeps forgiving us and giving us chance after chance to get things right. Jesus teaches us the story of the prodigal son, who foolishly spent his inheritance in Luke 15:17-25, “17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and
against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” In this story, the son felt like he had messed his entire life up. He returned to his father knowing that he was the only one to blame. He felt unworthy of a second chance. Just as his father forgave him and celebrated his return, Jesus forgives us for our mistakes. Jesus gives us chance after chance to get it right. I will be prepared next year with shade cloth and grasshopper spray for my garden, and just like my garden, we are a work in progress. When we pray to God for forgiveness and the wisdom to make better choices, He loves us and guides us through it all. ■
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JESUS FORGIVES US FOR OUR MISTAKES.
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