Since the fall of man, the world has been connected to sinful nature. That in and of itself brings life choices that plant seeds of brokenness. Like the classic infomercial slogan would say, “But wait, there’s more!” Not only are we born into our own sinful nature, but we are generationally watered with the strongholds of our family. Coming from a broken home labels our life before we even are old enough to recognize the battle at hand. We are born into battles of addiction and abuse that blind us to the future of our outcome. On top of that, out of the fear of neglect, punishment, and shaming, we accept that battle into our lives in order to please those closest to us. The vicious cycle becomes our comfort and way of life, just as it did the generation before regardless of the destruction. This destroys us at our roots and we wither away before we are even given the opportunity to blossom and produce any fruit of goodness.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus meets us where we are at. He has the “Miracle Grow” called redemption. He takes our choked out life and replants it in His garden of grace and forgiveness.

This once withering life can be abundant and fruitful; however, we have to accept it. We have to choose to drink. We have to let the Gardener prune us; allowing Him to cut away our brokenness and shame, to trim off the bitterness, and pull away the thorns of unforgiveness. The Gardener wore the thorns as His crown, so that we wouldn’t have to.

Sometimes the pruning hurts. We see an area in our life that we think is good, but God removes it with purpose. That purpose may not be evident to us right away, but it serves to direct our growth, maintain our health, and increase our yield.

The weeds will try to creep back in silently, through memories and mirrored experiences. There will be dry seasons that will challenge our water supply. That is why it is so important to trust the Gardener and rely on His care.

Just like gardening, redemption isn’t a ‘one and done’ experience. It takes daily tender care to produce a harvest. The Gardener needs to be allowed through the gate of our hearts regularly. The same challenges may come again and again, but He promises to watch over us.

I know this all too well. This is my life everyday. Scheduled to be aborted. Born into a family of numerous damaging addictions. Parents divorced and placed me in foster care through the process. Watched the generational strongholds grab a hold of my siblings. Abused for many years physically, emotionally, mentally, and sexually. Struggled with depression and attempted suicide. Longing to be accepted and loved through it all.

But my story didn’t end there. Jesus not only showered forgiveness on my life, but He restored what was taken and broken. He showed me the unconditional love that fit the missing piece in my heart. The plans that were meant to harm me, He turned prosperous. He gave me hope and a future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord,” and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Your story hasn’t ended. God hasn’t forgotten you. His grace is sufficient.

It is just the beginning of something greater.

Father,
We come to you today in search of life to the fullest. We long for your tender care . Please take our withering hearts and fill them with your love. May we be nourished with the promises of your word. Today we open the gates of our hearts to you, the Gardener. Take away all that is stealing the goodness from the life we are meant to live. Help us to forgive others and let you pull away those thorns pushing into our sides. We no longer accept the generational strongholds that steal, kill, and destroy. Today we choose you.
In Jesus’ name Amen.