Encouragement....

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

There is an important lesson for us in this parable. As the story tells us, in order to get a plant to produce fruit, it needs regular care, including watering, fertilizing and pruning. Anyone who has begun to prune a tree in their yard can attest to the fact that pruning a young tree actually encourages it to grow and branch out. Yeah, yeah, I know, the lesson here is so simple you are probably wondering why the heck did he bother? Can't he find anything else to write about? Actually I can, but I LOVE this parable and the message that we have all heard before. But let me ask you this question. Who have you pruned today? Who have you watered today? Who have you nurtured in order to encourage them to produce fruit? EXACTLY! That's why we ALL need the reminder! So start looking for those trees (people) that are in need of pruning (encouragement) and get clipping!