The Fruit Basket

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

If I were to best describe this day, I would describe it as a fruit basket filled with an assortment of tastes and colors, some more desirable than others. This is the day we started on our journey, the beginning of a new chapter in our ministry and lives.

The day started off with coffee with my sister Renee’ and her husband Jim. It was like a bitter sweet grapefruit, as it was our last coffee for the next 6 months. This move is bitter sweet as we have greatly enjoyed our time here with family the last 6 years after over 30 years of living far from family. Today the loss was more greatly felt. And there has been much loss in the last few days.

This last weekend we said goodbye to many good, dear friends in the ministry and our beloved church family. Monday night were more goodbye’s with family. Yes, we plan on coming back in 6 months but who really knows what the future holds, especially these days. The feeling of loss has been intensified at the home-going of our beloved sister-in-law and friend this last month. So, saying goodbye to Jim and Renee’ this morning was difficult. Selling our home and fixing up our motor home so it was livable, gave us the special opportunity to live half a year with dad. That was a precious time. Once we moved into the RV, we moved onto Jim and Renee’s property and lived there whenever we were in town. Another very rare and special opportunity we normally would not have experienced if God hadn’t taken us down this path.

My brother, Dean’s place, was our first stop on this trip. He lives in Idaho. He added pears to our fruit basket, literally. His little pear tree was loaded with pears and he shared a bunch with us. I love pears, but it’s not a fruit we get very often. We were very grateful. The time with him was encouraging but also different with Robi no longer there. She will be greatly missed.

Watermelon is so refreshing, especially on a hot day. Our trip was like watermelon in our fruit basket. We have had an engine overheating problem with our motor home since we got it. We have also spent a great chunk of money to find out the cause, each improvement helping a little. This last week was another spendy repair that we prayed would fix the problem once and for all. Today was the test… going over the mountains. The RV got hot at one point where we had to go slower, but it didn’t overheat! We thank God for His grace in the matter.

Fall is my favorite time of year. The fall colors remind me of apples as they come in all the different colors of fall. Today, driving through Idaho on our way to Wyoming, the colors were spectacular, vibrant, breathtaking, reminding us of our amazing Creator God. What a display of His beauty and majesty.

Macska was like a banana, much too ripe. Normally she is our no-problem baby girl but today she was upset most of the trip. She cried a lot, except when she was sitting on my lap. It reminded me of Tigg. We had to leave Tigg at Jim and Renee’s because he just couldn’t adapt to RV life. He freaked out each time we took a trip. We will never forget the flight from Hawaii to the mainland. He not only cried the entire trip, but screamed bloody murder by take off and descent. Other mothers with crying babies were grateful to us that day. So, another deeply felt loss. And a mystery as to why Macska is now upset.

While at Dean’s we talked about what makes a true follower of Jesus Christ. In our ministry, especially with the Story Barn at the different fairs, we meet all types of people with all different ideas on what will get them to heaven. Many will boast they said a prayer, or they are a good person, or they do lots of good works… They focus on what they have done. The Bible, God’s Word and only source of authority tells us differently. Hebrews tells us, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (9:22). Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross. He took the punishment we deserved because of our sin and depravity and died in our place. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

The word believe is not just saying, yes, I believe in God. The Bible tells us the demons believe and shudder, but they are not going to heaven. It’s trusting in the Savior completely, acknowledging you are a sinner, totally lost without Him. There is absolutely nothing you can do to gain salvation. It is a gift from Him! Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself. It is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” You acknowledge your sin and need of the Savior and accept that gift He offers and your life is changed forever.

Matthew 7:16 says, “You will know they by their fruit…” Is your life changed because you have put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do people see Christ in you, not because of your efforts or so that you can boast, but because you are dependent upon the Holy Spirit daily to make you more like Jesus Christ? What do you base your salvation on?

mari