I love taking bits and pieces of the Sunday service and incorporating them in someway during the following week.  One message that Kyle drove home last Sunday included an example of “planting and harvest”.  Essentially, you get back what you give.  Your efforts impact your results.  This is true in your faith and your walk with God, but this is also true in all parts of your life.

The athlete will not win the race (or match, game, competition, etc…) unless he/she practices, trains and puts in every effort to succeed. 

I need to practice!  I need to “plant” a varied and vast garden so that I will have a large and bountiful harvest! But life is busy with so many distractions.

Many of us succeed in some parts of our lives, but fail at others.  I guess we all battle with having balance in our lives, but if you fail to “tend your garden” your plants die.

For an employee, to not plant and tend may result in a harvest of a failed project and perhaps a lost chance at a promotion or even termination.
For a spouse, to not plant and tend may result in a harvest of neglected partners and perhaps a broken marriage.
For a parent, to not plant and tend may result in a harvest of neglected relationships with your children and perhaps the inability to protect them from harm and recognize their unmet needs.

At one time or another all of us have had “plants” wilt or die because we didn’t put in the effort to tend to them, water and care for them and encourage them to grow.

So this week,  I’m taking this piece from Sunday’s message and I’m planting and tending. 
I’m tending to the part of my garden where my 12 year old daughter grows.  I’m loving on her and showing her how important she is to me  I’m listening and looking for unmet needs I can fill and I am refilling her well with love and importance. 

Go grow your gardens.  The harvest will be your reward!