The cucumbers from my Advent Seed Calendar have been growing amazingly well in the garden and are loaded with lots of cucumbers! I have been so excited about the cucumbers from my Advent Seed Calendar – because they were a gift from my son and daughter-in-law.
However, this week we have been having a heat spell with temperatures climbing up to 95* and 97* F.
I have been worried that the cucumbers might become bitter, due to the extreme heat. I know (through past experience) that when cucumber plants go through a period of extreme heat, and don’t have enough water, they become bitter.
We have a soaker hose meandering this way and that throughout the garden. The soaker hose is on a timer and runs for 1-hour each morning, from 6am-7am. Under normal conditions the soaker hose provides enough water for the garden.
But in extreme heat such as we’ve been having this week, I fear that the soaker hose isn’t quite enough.
Last night as hubby and I were having one of our cucumbers for dinner, I noticed that the cucumber was just barely on the verge of becoming bitter.
Oh no!
I must go add some extra water to the cucumber plants!
First thing this morning I went trotting out to the garden with my watering can filled to the brim. The cucumber plants need some TLC (tender loving care)!
As I was pouring extra water right at the roots of each of the cucumber plants, I couldn’t help thinking how the cucumber plants really aren’t all that different from us as people.
When life “heats up” and we face “scorching” comments, “flame” emails, and the “heat” of daily living … we too will start to become bitter if we don’t have enough “water” for our soul.
The thing about bitter cucumbers is that you can’t tell by looking at them that they are bitter.
From all outward appearances the cucumbers look perfectly normal and fine.
It’s only when you take a bite that the bitterness becomes obvious!
This is the way it is with people. The extreme “heat” of life wilts us, depletes us, and drains us! And while we might look perfectly normal and fine on the outside, it’s when someone gets close to us and gets a “taste” of what’s on the inside that our bitterness becomes obvious!
Although I have been fully aware that this week is hotter than normal, I’ve been busy and haven’t thought to add extra water to the cucumbers. I’ve been distracted with the busy-ness of defrosting the freezer. I’ve been busy picking raspberries. I’ve been busy with my daily household chores.
When it finally has occurred to me to add extra water to the cucumbers … by then the day has heated up and the garden is in the full sun. It’s way too hot to go out there and add some extra water.
I’ll do it later.
But I get distracted and later never comes.
Until … we sit down for dinner, and I take a bite … and lo and behold! … the cucumber is on the verge of becoming bitter!
Oh no!
The cucumber plants were a gift to me from my son and daughter-in-law, so they are really special to me! It’s really important to me that they do well.
There are so many more cucumbers still out there on the vine! There’s so many little tiny baby cucumbers just beginning to form. If this cucumber here for dinner is on the verge of becoming bitter, then that means all the other cucumbers out there on the vine are likewise at risk of becoming bitter! The whole crop of cucumbers is at risk of becoming bitter!
I must do something!
I must do something immediately!
So too … this is what happens in our life. We wind up going through intense seasons of “heat” in life. We know (in the back of our mind) that our “soaker hose” isn’t enough for this “heat” we’re going through. We know we need some extra “water” on our “roots.”
But we are too busy. We are distracted trying to keep up with all the demands of life. Our days are packed with all the responsibilities we have to do.
When it does finally occur to us to add some extra “water” on our “roots” … it’s not the right timing.
We’ll do it later.
But later never comes.
Until … one normal ordinary day … we are struck with the sudden realization that our heart is on the verge of becoming bitter! Our soul is on the verge of becoming bitter!
Everything “on the vine of our life” is at risk of becoming bitter! Our relationship with our spouse … our relationships with our kids … our relationships with our co-workers at work … etc. etc. etc. …
The whole “crop” of our life is at risk of becoming bitter!
We must do something!
We must do something now!
Just like I went out first thing this morning, carrying a watering can filled to the brim, to add some extra water at the roots of the cucumber plants … so too, we go to the Word of God and fill our “watering can” to the brim. We pour the “water” of the Word of God directly on the “roots” of our parched soul.
We pour the “water” of the Word of God where it will soak down deeply to the heart of the matter which is causing the bitterness to develop.
We give our soul some targeted TLC (tender loving care) with the “water” of God’s Word.
Jesus speaking: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” – Revelation 21:6
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:1-2
Jesus speaking: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” – Johnn 7:37b
Jesus speaking: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
