Melanie and the girls
I love fresh fruit. It’s amazing that we can enjoy fresh fruit all year long. At this very moment at locations all over the world plants are producing fruit to be shipped for our enjoyment and consumption.
It makes sense that fruit tastes so good. Fruit contains the seeds for new plants, and we are willing to carry the fruit far from its parent plant in order to enjoy the taste and benefits. It’s a win for us, but also a win for the plant.
So even though fruit can be so enjoyable as food, the real purpose of fruit is found in the seed. The purpose of the seed is to create a new plant. And the further the seed is carried away from the plant, the greater is the chance that the plant will reproduce itself through its offspring.
The most significant thing a plant can do is produce the fruit that will allow it to reproduce. And during an annual growth cycle, the most costly thing a plant will do is produce its fruit. It will divert all its resources to producing fruit, even at the cost of its own well being. Even at the cost of its own existence.
In John 15:7-8, Jesus makes an amazing promise. He said we can have anything we ask for. But before we think of God as a genie granting wishes, he reminds us of God’s purpose. We are expected to reproduce.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
The principal of bearing fruit applies in the physical sense as well as the spiritual. In Genesis 1 we read that God created man and woman. He blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”
So what does this all have to do with mothers? This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. Having raised five children, I have had a front row seat to what a mother sacrifices to bring a child into the world. Even during the nursing stage, her body will divert nutrients to the child at the expense of her own health. I can only stand in awe as a spectator.
No wonder Melanie grieves so deeply at the loss of her child, Elijah. She sacrificed for his life and well being like no one else could. Her heart was bound to his. He loved her dearly, and he told her frequently.
Nothing can explain the pain of losing a child. As parents we find peace in looking towards our heavenly reunion. We find joy in seeing the impact our child had while alive. Even through his death Elijah has already reached millions with the message of God’s love. He was bearing fruit.
This Mother’s Day will be our first without Elijah. We will visit the place in the woods where he perished. We will see the trees and plants that surrounded him and remember the importance of living to bear fruit. We will have a greater appreciation for Melanie and the sacrifices she made for our children. And we will certainly experience a different view of Mothers’ Day.
Thank you to all the mothers who sacrificed so much to bring forth life, to spread joy, and to fulfill God’s purpose. God bless each of you!
Please ‘like’ and ‘share’ this post as you find it helpful and inspiring. Thank you.
-Ken Buchanan
