Spring is a time of renewal. As the snow melts and the days grow longer, everywhere around displays signs of new life. Many of my friends here in Minneapolis have begun to start seed beds indoors, and will plant the sprouts outside once the chance of freezing slims.
My household was no different. Last Saturday, with great care and caution we seeded a variety of vegetables to put in the garden later this spring. However, the stir-crazy terrier decided to eat destroy the plant beds in our absence the other night.
None the less, new life begins in the Spring.
The Gospel lesson this week finds Jesus sharing a parable. He tells of a fig tree that hasn’t bore any fruit for several years. One man wants to cut the tree down. “Good riddence!”
Jesus gives a different idea in the story. He advises to nurture the tree. Give it rich soil, fertilizer, water, and sunlight. Then, look to see if it fruits.

I love this lesson. Many times, we can be so wrapped up in our output, productivity, and busy-ness, that we don’t take the time to nurture the soil that we are planted in. Then, we have the nerve to wonder why we aren’t bearing fruit!

This week, may we take a few moments a day to surround our roots with things that nurture us and bring us life; whether it is laughter with close friends, rich food, or even the sitting still in the warm sunshine. Remember, you cannot bear good fruit if you aren’t surrounded by good soil.

Jesus loves you, drink lots of water.

-Dan Miglets-Nelson