Lessons Learned from Tomatoes

I learned a valuable lesson this summer.It is one that will last a lifetime and it came in the simplest of forms.

I often keep a half dozen or so tomato plants.The ones I use are descendants from a single plant that a patient’s father brought from Italy.Over the past three summers these tomatoes have grown to the size of softballs and are very juicy.Suzy cans them and we give many away to friends and family.

This past summer was tough on the tomato plants.We didn’t have any fruit on them until August.Usually I’m picking fruit after July fourth.The one piece of fruit that did grow was a good one.It had a large size, firm texture, and the bright red color desired in a tomato.For the first time in my life the biblical teachings that our first fruits are given to God came to my mind.So I prayed about what to do.

It didn’t take long for the words “Prepare the seeds” to come as my answer.I didn’t understand.Preparing the seeds was like keeping the fruit.I thought would still benefit.I responded with “Are you sure?”“Yes, prepare the seeds.”So I did.

A couple of days later we had a going away party for some friends who were moving to Ohio.I asked my friend Steve if they were all packed up and ready to load the moving van which we were helping with that weekend, a couple of days after the party.Steve said yes, except for one thing….

“Brian, last spring you grew a number of tomato plants, many of which to gave away to our group.We took a couple plants and have never seen tomatoes like those.They were the largest, juiciest tomatoes I have ever seen or tasted.Do you have any seeds that I could have for next year?It would be a great way to remember you and Suzy by.”

I told him I did and that Saturday when I helped load the moving van I handed him a baggie full of tomato seeds.

Our plants produced fruit all the way through September and into October.Each was as large, firm, and bright as the first which we gave away.We had a bountiful harvest of tomatoes and have plenty of seeds for next year.As the bible says, what you give away will be returned to you ten fold.

I have often heard the phrase, you can’t out give the giver and this lesson learned from tomatoes proved it to me.Give someone the gift of health today, refer them to a chiropractor.Do it with pure intentions and no expectation of reward.Let God prove to you that what he says is real.