Day 10 ~ Morning

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Devotional

[  ]     Prayer - To Heavenly Father

Prayer

[  ]     Hymn - For the Beauty of the Earth

LDS Hymn # 92

[  ]     Scripture - Matthew 5:43-48

[  ]     Service - How can I serve today?

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Tommy was angry. He threw his hoe to the ground, began walking back and forth, and yelled, "I give up!"

He didn't care who heard him. Perhaps it was the hot sun or the hard work that he wasn't used to, but he had had enough.

Tommy continued his angry display until Harry came over to see what was bothering him. "Why are you yelling? Are you hurt?" asked Harry.

"No," said Tommy. "It's these stupid plants. I hate gardening. No matter how hard I try, your garden is always better than mine. Look how green your garden is and how brown mine is." He scowled, "I hate gardening!"

"I thought you liked seeing things grow," said Harry.

"Well, I used to," said Tommy, "but look at your garden, everything is a mile taller than mine. What's wrong with my stupid plants!"

"Let's take a look," said Harry.

They walked closer to the first row of plants and knelt down. Harry began to study each leaf. Then he reached down and took hold of a plant near its base and let it gently pass through his hand until he could spread out the last leaf flat against his open palm. The leaf was noticeably small and pale; aphids were unusually numerous on the fragile plant. Letting go of the leaf, he reached for a handful of soil, squeezed it, and let it drop to the ground.

Tommy watched Harry more intently than ever. "Why don't these stupid plants grow for me like they do for you?" Tommy asked.

"Your soil is too dry." Harry answered confidently. "Look how the soil breaks apart and doesn't hold together. While trying to care for your garden, you haven't made sure water reached the end of the row."

Tommy took a handful of soil and squeezed. It was dry and easily broke through his fingers.

At Harry's suggestion, they walked to Harry's garden plot and knelt near the first row of dark green plants. The soil was cool and moist.

"Can you feel the difference?" asked Harry.

"Yes," responded Tommy.

"If you watch how much you water your plants they'll be just fine." Then remembering what his father taught him, Harry added, "Plants already know how to grow! If we provide for them and keep out the weeds, they'll do the rest."

Harry's father had been watching them for a few minutes and finally decided to join them. After hearing what they had been talking about, he said, "Let me tell you a story I think you might enjoy." Is There a Creator?