Coreen loved walking through the orchard. It was about as close to a Garden of Eden as you could get this side of Heaven. Through the midst of it a life-giving river flowed which had much to do with why the trees were so healthy and strong, the fruit, large mostly unblemished and sweetly delicious.  But Coreen knew it wasn’t only that the roots reached out eagerly for the stream that made the fruit lush and healthy.  She was aware that daily the Gardener strolled among His beloved plantings, pruning one here, and fertilizing another one further on.  She thought of her own fruit tree back home. It was scrawny and unhealthy looking, buffeted by the winds and the few miserable fruit almost sour tasting. She hung her head in shame.  Why have I been so unwilling to transplant closer to a good source of water? I carry buckets daily but it simply doesn’t thrive. Is there something in the town water that just isn't healthy?

Coreen got to thinking of her lifestyle, the books she read, videos she watched and so on. Am I feeding my soul any better than I feed that tree?  I need to have a strong, daily connection with the River of Life, so that my fruit is attractive, unblemished and a treat for the passersby.

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She walked home slowly, thoughtfully with her head down. Is it worth it? Do I really want to sacrifice some of the ideas , attitudes and interests I love the most so that the fruit of the spirit will have a chance to thrive in my life?

Later Coreen carefully dug out her scrawny excuse of a sapling and planted it as close to the River of Life as possible. She thought it would be set back from the exchange of location but immediately the Caretaker came, smiled at her and she felt blessed. As the seasons came and went, Coreen marveled at what a difference being close to the Master Gardener and a pure water source made. She watched as the tree grew and become a haven for birds, a shelter from the heat of the day.

Coreen’s daily prayer was that the tree would continue to share its fruit with an ever growing flock of birds and that they could find shelter in its sturdy branches

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