I ran into the grocery store the other day and right in front of me, was a display of strawberries! In January no less!  I walked over to inspect the fruit before I got too excited.  Our family LOVES strawberries. We are always so sad to see them go away in the fall. This was definitely a sweet surprise. As I picked up each carton and examined the fruit, I found 2 packages full of plump red deliciousness and they had to come home with us!

After dinner, and between loads of laundry, I soaked the berries in water and vinegar to get them squeaky clean. as I pulled out my colander and rinsed them, the earthy smell of summer invaded my senses. Grabbing my paring knife, I went to work slicing the tops and cutting them into halves then, quarters.  Do you know, nearly every berry I touched was without blemish?  As I got to the bottom of the bowl a few smaller berries and one quite large beauty left. I picked it up and examined it. as I turned it over in my hand, it looked perfect all the way around until I gently lifted the wet leaves. The whole top of the berry was brown and mushy. I recoiled a bit. I thought I might be able to save this berry. Maybe if I cut the decay off it could be salvaged. As I cut into the berry, I found it could not be saved. Too much decay and rot had made its way to the inner fruit.  That's when I felt the nudge.

How many people have "bad spots, decay, brown and mushy lives"? You chose to throw the strawberry away because it was no good to you. People are just like fruit. Not everyone is perfectly round and ripe for the picking. Some are green and underdeveloped while others, become subject to spoil. I turn no one away.


“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
I'm always amazed at how God uses some of the most common everyday things and tugs at my heart.

The bottom line, I believe is this, He gives up on no one! We are all precious in his sight. No matter what we look like, where we've been, what we've done.  He sees each one of us as beloved.  When we look in the mirror, we might see the wrinkles forming and the "shimmering strands of silver" randomly sprouting upon our scalp..  If we've said something or done something we don't feel worthy of forgiveness of, He still loves us with such an awesome love and so much grace. All we have to do is reach out and take it. It's ours! 




Linking today with The Faith Barista #OneWordCoffee

                              


5 Comments

  1. It's amazing that God never gives up on anyone. Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Krista.

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    1. Thank you Trudy! I'm so thankful that he doesn't! :)

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  2. I love being reminded that God turns NO one away! At our worst or at our best, he loves us just the same. Wishing I had some of those delicious strawberries right now. :) Thanks for sharing this truth, Krista.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Lisa! :)
      I'm really looking forward to summer now that I've had a taste of it! ;)

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