“Consider how the lillies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tommorow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you”.

This year I have really enjoyed teaching Stephen the basics of Gardening. We have enjoyed planting runner beans, strawberries and some incredible Sunflowers. Each Sunflower was grown from seed in exactly the same conditions, planted in the same plot of soil and each received the same care as the other, food, water etc. Yet each has grown in very different ways.

Anyone who has seen them is immediately drawn to the tallest, now 9 feet 6 inches, or to the one that flowered first. Yet the shortest one is the one with the most flower heads on. Each is spectacular in its own way, each has chosen to make use of the same food, sun, soil and water in its own way.

Watching them grow I have reflected on how as Christians we make use of the various gifts and abilities we each have, both natural and God given. The results can be equally diverse. Many of us are drawn to the spectacular or the transforming aspects of our faith. I thank God that he is in the business of change. Yet others turn what God has given them to produce a different sort of fruit, shown in acts of kindness, depth of prayer or concern for our world and its poorest citizens. It can be all to easy to compare and contrast and forget we are all part of God’s kingdom and he is the best gardener of all.

Trevor