When we bought our house six years ago the previous owners had taken great care in planting beautiful hydrangeas, roses, ferns, and more. There was even a garden set up in the backyard. But you see, I am a city girl and had never cared for flowers or bushes — much less planted a garden.

So I began learning by trial and error. Through the years I’ve discovered that plants can be a difficult bunch — there can be good years and bad, some need pruning, some need “sister” plants to pollenate properly, and some grow more than you planned. I learned that fruit trees take years to actually produce fruit. The tree has to sink in, acclimate to the soil, soak in water, and become truly grounded.

We are like the fruit trees. We need time. We have to extend roots and acclimate to our earthly surroundings. We are in it for the long haul. And God is like the gardener giving us time to grow and endure. God doesn’t give up on us!

By Katie Gilbert from D365