Due to some neglect, my lemon tree completely dried up. This lemon tree is no ordinary tree I purchased from the nursery. In a season of learning about seeds in the Kingdom of God from my spiritual father, Pastor Derrick D’souza, 4 years ago, I planted this seed from its fruit. I planted and watered this lemon tree, and seeing it grow was like seeing the glorious works of Yahweh.

With little understanding, I remember pruning it when it grew vertically because I wanted it to be a certain height so that it looked appealing.

A friend had come over, and as soon as she looked at the tree, she said, “Ohh, the tree is gone; you should throw it.” Now, she was not wrong; the neglect had dried all the leaves; it looked as good as dead, and watering it seemed like a waste of time. But I smiled at her and said: “It will come to life.”

Look, I don’t know anything about gardening, but I know how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I heard Him say these words to me: “It will come to life,” before it happened, and all I merely did was repeat those words.

After 15 days of faithfully watering the lemon tree, I noticed it had grown fresh leaves today. I laughed at the enemy, as good as dead, you said. The God of my father is a God of resurrection.

Two things I learned from the Lemon tree:

1. Being rooted in Christ

Even after months of neglect with no sunlight or water, the lemon tree could sprout back because it was rooted. When you fail, do not be disheartened. Just smile and say, “It will come to life.” Suddenly, you will see fresh green leaves – I call it the sweet, sweet grace of our Father in your life.

To be rooted in Christ means Jesus provides all the essential nutrients we need to grow and bear fruit and also provides the foundation we need to stand firm when we face trials or tough seasons.

“As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

So, If the enemy tells you it’s over, know that your roots are strong enough for you to spring back.

2. God is working, even when you don’t see it.

You may not see any change in your situation right now, but know that God is working. Don’t settle for what the world has to say about your life; your God’s steadfast love never ceases, and His mercies do not end.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Let His mercy locate you every morning.

Girl, what you invest your time in today will help you get through challenging times. Me pruning the tree made the roots stronger for it to thrive in a time of drought.

Similarly, as you spend time building your roots on the Word of God, you will thrive when others are barely surviving.

XOXO
Sheryl

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