A number of years ago, I plucked some pieces off of a plant from my parents' garden. The plant was a variety of Perennial Geranium, and it has come to be a favorite of mine. The nature of this plant is that it produces new growth that is easily separated under the canopy of its foliage. The harvested piece has only to be set into fresh soil and it develops its own root system easily. This Hardy Geranium is drought resistant, deer resistant, flourishes in sun or shade, produces a beautiful spring bloom, stays green through the winter months, and even smells nice! It is the perfect plant for any gardener who loves to share!
A couple of Springs ago, I shared some small pieces of this same plant with my Inlaws. They took the small plants home and tucked them in beside the shrubs lining their front steps. The very next year, the area was so full, they shared pieces with friends and neighbors. I am certain, by now, that those few pieces my parents shared with me years ago, have born hundreds of plants and filled many gardens.
This sweet little plant created by our God is a beautiful picture of the love He shares through us. He loves us as His children. When we are rooted in Him, we experience His fullness and we, through His love, become full. When we love others with God's love, we produce fruit. That is, they began to experience His love and become rooted in Him as well. Love begets love. When they share the love they have received, the number of those rooted in God multiplies exponentially!
The wonderful thing about living and loving God's way is that we become drought resistant (John 4:14), enemy resistant (James 4:7), we will flourish in sun or shade, produce a beautiful spring blooms, and stay green through the winter months (Psalm 1:3), and even smell nice (Ephesians 5:2). God's love is the perfect virtue for any believer who loves to share! (Colossians 3:14)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
John 15:9-17
John 15:9-17
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