Growing in Jesus

Bible Reading: John 15:1-9; James 1:2-4

“I love spring!” Mia announced to her older sister, Jade, as they prepared to do work in their garden. “Being able to play outside again makes me happy.” Mia sighed and kicked a garden stone. “But it also makes me sad, because I miss our neighbors. We used to play a lot in the backyard before they moved away. But now I won’t be able to play with them anymore.”

“I miss them too.” Jade smiled sadly. “But working in the garden always makes me feel better, and now you’re tall enough to help me with the pear tree. Can you bring me those pruning shears?”

Mia brought over a pair of clippers, and Jade began to cut back the branches of the tree. Mia gasped. “What are you doing?”

“I’m pruning the tree,” Jade answered.

Mia was surprised. “But won’t cutting the branches hurt the tree?”

“Pruning may look likes it hurts, but it helps plants grow better,” Jade replied and trimmed another branch. “Because we pruned it, the pear tree will be stronger and healthier, and it will have even more fruit in the fall.”

“Really?” Mia’s eyes widened.

“Did you know that God is a gardener?” Jade asked. “Just like how we’re pruning the pear tree to help it grow better, God helps us grow in our relationship with Him—and He sometimes uses hard times in our lives to do that.”

“Hard times like friends moving away?”

Jade nodded. “In the Bible, Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches. Because He died for us and we trust Him as our Savior, we’re connected to Him through the Holy Spirit, who prunes us and helps us bear fruit.”

“Fruit? Like strawberries?” asked Mia, looking at a package of seeds.

Jade laughed. “No, fruit of the Spirit—like love and joy and kindness and patience. So even though the things we’re facing right now may hurt, God has a purpose in our struggles. He will use them to help us learn and grow.”

“Jade?” Mia asked. “Do you think we can mail some of these seeds to our old neighbors? I want to remind them that God uses hard times to help us grow.”

-Abby Ciona

How About You?

Are you facing hard times? Maybe you’re feeling lonely, a family member is sick, or you miss a friend who lives far away. Remember that Jesus is with you in life’s struggles. He’s given you His Holy Spirit, who is working in your life to help you grow and bear fruit. He can use even difficult circumstances to help you know Jesus better and make you more like Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
James 1:2-3 (NLT) When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus helps us grow