Putting Down Roots.

I planted an Avocado tree a couple months ago. It hasn't produced any fruit yet...

I love this photo - partly because I think these colors are so awful together that they "work" in a weird sense. (. . . or maybe they don't. . . ?!) I also like it because I was so excited when my avocado sprouted and I wanted to show you. But mostly I like it  because this photo represents elements at work in our lives right now. Promise, Potential, and Perseverance.

God's promise is that as we abide in Him, he will produce fruit in our lives.

The potential of God's kingdom is often represented by a seed -- seeds contain within them the dynamic for growth and fruitfulness.

So we respond by persevering in faith. We choose to believe that God continues to will and to do according to His good purposes in our lives!

What you can't see in this picture is that the roots of this plant are already pushing through the bottom of the pot. I transplanted it and saw rapid results. (See the picture below!)

My avocado hasn't produced fruit yet, but visible signs of growth and maturity surprise me almost every day. Similarly, I see visible signs that God is working in our family to help us with language acquisition, relationship building, and increasing ministry opportunities. 

So we thank God for his mercy, grace and power that keeps us and guides us as we seek to be faithful to His call.