RUTTER — Grounded and fed

This morning, the family planted the tomatoes that David’s been nurturing inside all winter in the ground.

He’s grown them from seed to roots to vines until they’re ready to plant and ultimately produce the fresh fruit we will so gratefully eat.

He’s tilled the soil, staked and mulched it and put up the electric fence to keep out the deer, squirrels and other varmints.

With months of work invested in the growing process, his work continues. From watering to weeding, the next two to three months until the crop is picked are busy ones for Farmer David.

Above all, we hope the erratic weather is over — from frost one day to swimming weather the next, cloudy to sunny, wind gusts to calmness.

There is much that farmers and gardeners cannot control. Close to the soil and the seasons, they understand this and accept God’s hand in nature.

They accept they are his workers in his field.

Unlike the Gentiles at Lystra who, seeing the miracles that the Apostles Paul and Barnabas performed, were ready to idolize them as gods.

Paul assured them they were but men, redirecting them to God the Father, the creator of all who, “yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.” (Acts 14:17)

Separated from the reality of God’s presence and love, the doubtful wanted only to idolize the Apostles they could see and touch.

Are we so dissimilar?

Caught up in the moments of our days, we easily put God aside and direct our senses to what lies in front of us.

We buy our groceries at the store and forget that the food on our dinner plates comes from God’s good earth.

We get mad if rain spoils our plans, little considering its role in keeping our bodies healthy.

Instead of being thankful for all God gives us, we too often take credit for what we have and growl about what we lack.

We break off the branch that binds us to God, the vine grower, reluctant to be pruned to bear good fruit (John 15:1,2).

Lacking in gratitude, oblivious to being beloved children of God, we are unaware that we have a heavenly purpose.

But enough of this self-centered, doomsday outlook! Let’s open our eyes, hearts and minds to the truth: God created us out of love to love.

If we remain in him, he nourishes us with the good fruit of the vine to share with our brothers and sisters.

As Jesus promised his disciples, “ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you,” (John 15:8).

He gifts us with the Advocate, the Holy Spirit of Truth, to nourish us from within.

So, we go forth, tending to the crops in the garden as we await their harvest.

And so I pray: Dear Lord, keep me firmly planted in the ground, in Your truth. Strengthen me with the Holy Spirit, giving me the courage, strength and trust I ask for to serve as your disciple. Help me bring others to Your harvest.

Mrs. Rutter is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia.