Daily Devotional for March 27, 2017
Fried Green Tomatoes
Emily walked into the living room as her mom was hanging up the phone. “What’s wrong, Mom?” It seemed like Mom had been crying.
Mom wiped her face and sat up in her chair. “Cole is in jail again.”
Cole was Emily’s twenty-year-old cousin. He was funny and full of life. She remembered how he used to sing in the youth band at church and lead the drama skits at vacation Bible school. But then he stopped going to church and started getting into trouble all the time. She hardly saw him anymore, and she missed him a lot.
A bit later, Emily found Mom in the kitchen breading sliced tomatoes. Green tomatoes.
“What are you doing, Mom?” asked Emily. “Those tomatoes are green!”
“I know,” said Mom. “I made the mistake of asking your father to go to the garden to pick tomatoes. I don’t know what I was thinking, him being color blind and all!” Mom chuckled and looked at the big bowl of unripe tomatoes. “Fried green tomatoes, anyone?”
“Can’t we just wait until they turn red to eat them?” asked Emily.
“No, Emily. The stem needs to be attached to the vine for the tomato to grow, mature, and turn red.” Mom paused. “You know, this reminds me of what’s happening with Cole. In the Bible, Jesus calls Himself the Vine, and being attached to him is the only way we can truly have life and grow in faith.”
“So you’re saying Cole isn’t a Christian?” Emily asked. “He used to be really involved at church!”
“Well, being involved at church doesn’t make someone a Christian—only being attached to the Vine through faith in Jesus makes someone a Christian. But I don’t know Cole’s heart. Maybe he was never attached to the Vine, or maybe he’s just hit a rough patch and is growing more slowly in his faith than other people—like these green tomatoes.”
“So is there hope for Cole?” Emily asked with concern.
“Of course there is,” said Mom. “Unlike tomatoes, there’s always hope for people. All he has to do is turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Let’s pray for Cole right now.” – Laura Kuehn
How about you?
Do you know someone who seems to have turned away from God? Do you ever worry you might do the same thing? Jesus promises to bring life and growth to everyone who is attached to Him. When you have doubts and worries, remember the faith and hope you have in Jesus. Live your life knowing that you belong to Him, and follow and obey Him in all you do.
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