A Gardener came out to his shed to prepare his garden for springtime. The tools-the shovels, rakes, and clippers-shook in anticipation! The had been waiting for this time during the long winter months. The tools had been preparing for this day. They had oiled themselves to get rid of rust and made sure all of their edges were nice and sharp.
There was one particular tool, his name was Sam the shovel. He was a big and bulky shovel but was the gardeners favorite tool to turn the hard soil after the cold snowy months. Sam was also perfect for moving potting soil and manure to the gardens and pots. Joy filled Sam the shovel as the gardener used him to prepare the many gardens around his home. After a couple days of hard work the soil was loose, dark, and healthy. The gardener put the shovel away and he was full of joy and pride for the work he had done.
As the time went by Sam the shovel watched from the inside of the shed as the gardener used his small shovels, hand held tools, and clippers. He saw the others tools outside admiring the luxurious flowers and plants. Sam became discouraged...He thought he was a terrible tool. He was too big and bulky to enjoy the same work the other tools did. He became angry that he could never work with the flowers and plants. All he got to see was hard soil and manure. "This is all so pointless-my job is unappreciated and unimportant."
The shovel continued to dwell on these negative thoughts for the rest of the season. Winter came again and all of the gardener's tools were put away. They chatted about the wonderful work they were able to do and all the beautiful colors. The talk only made the shovel more and more bitter.Convinced of his lack of worth, Sam the shovel hid from the other tools and let himself become dull and rusty.
That next Spring the Gardener again opened his shed. He looked at the shovel with disappointment. For how was he able to prepare his garden without the tool he needed to turn the soil. The Gardener asked the shovel what had caused him to be unprepared for the work. Sam told him of how he was unimportant and how the other tools got to see beautiful flowers and fruits from the work that they did and he did nothing.
The Gardener listen patiently and replied: " I have a very special and specific purpose for you Sam. I do not need you to be an other tool. Each of my tools is no more important than another. But I can't accomplish my purpose without any one of you. This is not your work or theirs but it is mine.I need you to be a capable tool in my hand."
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God..."
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Brothers and Sisters-Do not feel like you are an pointless tool-Heavenly Father has a plan for every single one of us. he doesn't need you to be any one but YOU! Don't try to be a different "tool" our gardener already has that one! All he asks is for you to be "sharp and rust free."
We are all tools in the garden of the Lord-We each have a specific purpose-Are you ready to fulfill it?
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