This is the Upper Room Devotional for January 7, 2025. The topic is Garden Grace and it is brought to you by Upper Room Ministries.
TOPIC: Garden Grace
TEXT: Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.” – John 15:5 (NRSVUE)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Focusing on God’s love shows me how to extend grace to others.
PRAYER FOCUS: Gardeners
One of my favorite memories is of my dad sitting on a fresh bed of pine straw in the middle of his rose garden. With an unlit pipe in his mouth, he would spend hours clipping, spraying, and caring for his rose bushes. He grew the most beautiful fragrant roses imaginable.
Dad loved to take them to work and put them on all the office desks. He also spread them throughout our house. I remember the rich fragrance of roses throughout our home, and every time I smell a rose, I think of Dad.
The problem with rose gardening is that rose stems have thorns. Every now and then Dad got pricked, and then he might say something I won’t repeat here. Still, he continued to love and care for his roses.
Through our scripture passage I understand Christ as the gardener in our lives. For me, the fruit is God’s grace growing within us and also allowing us to make a difference in the lives of others.
Yet, like rose stems, our lives have thorns. Sometimes thorns prick me pretty good, and sometimes my thorns prick others as well. I find I need some time each day to focus on God’s grace in Christ. Jesus invites us to abide in his love, and I hope we can all find our own unique ways to do that each and every day.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for caring for us with the attentiveness of a gardener. Help us to abide in your love so that we may show grace to others. Amen.
About Upper Room Devotional
The Upper Room® is a worldwide group that helps Christians grow in their faith and connect with God better. It started in 1935 as a daily reading guide and has since expanded to include books, programs, prayer support, and other tools. These resources are designed to help people of all ages and backgrounds deepen their faith and serve others more.
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