Risky business

Having lived the majority of my life on an Alberta farm, I can attest to the saying, “Farming is a risky business.” Farmers choose fertile soil, proven seed and the best methods available to plant them. They fertilize, look for signs of pests and disease, and spray to eradicate both. Then their hope for a good crop depends on nature and the things they can’t control-the right amount of rain and sunshine.

Isaiah’s song of the vineyard is one of God as a hopeful farmer who prepared the vineyard well. God’s people were given abundant blessings, and God expected them to be good soil to grow fruits of righteousness and justice. However, the soil was infertile and didn’t produce the hoped for results.

When we look at our lives and all God’s blessings, have we been fertile soil? Can we say we have produced fruits of loving care for our neighbours? Have we the fruits of respect and tolerance for others, regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation, cultural practices or the colour of their skin? Let us be fertile soil in which God sows, with hope to grow in us the very best fruits.

Thank you, God, for your blessings so abundantly given. Cultivate in us a willing spirit to produce good fruit. Amen. — NK

Contributed by Risky business

Having lived the majority of my life on an Alberta farm, I can attest to the saying, "Farming is a risky business." Farmers choose fertile soil, proven seed and the best methods available to plant them. They fertilize, look for signs of pests and disease, and spray to eradicate both. Then their hope for a good crop depends on nature and the things they can't control-the right amount of rain and sunshine. Isaiah's song of the vineyard is one of God as a hopeful farmer who prepared the vineyard well. God's people were given abundant blessings, and God expected them to be good soil to grow fruits of righteousness and justice. However, the soil was infertile and didn't produce the hoped for results. When we look at our lives and all God's blessings, have we been fertile soil? Can we say we have produced fruits of loving care for our neighbours? Have we the fruits of respect and tolerance for others, regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation, cultural practices or the colour of their skin? Let us be fertile soil in which God sows, with hope to grow in us the very best fruits.
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