Sweet Summer Memories

God desires a deeper relationship with us, but he waits patiently for us to seek him.

As the hot summer sun beats down on my head and the sultry, humid air lies like a heavy blanket on my shoulders, I stand amidst the thorny bushes and humming insects, picking raspberries. They became ripe fast and furious with the heat and recent rains, the dark red berries hanging heavy beneath the leafy branches. They are a tartly sweet delicacy.

Often, the choicest berries are hidden when you walk by and glance at the bushes. You must lift the dark green leafy branches out of the way to reveal the lush, ripe fruit hidden below. The reward for searching is the best fruit, with the sweetest flavour, and a satisfying taste of summer.

My mind wanders back to the days when my children were small and we would go to a local farm, climb onto a horse-drawn wagon with our empty baskets and ride into the field to pick strawberries. With stubby toddler legs, my kids would wander amongst the rows, picking berries and eating them. Sometimes they sit down at a patch of plump strawberries to feast on the fresh fruit while I fill a basket to take home.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 NIV

Spiritual truths are similar to berry picking - we can glance at our Bibles, sweep past our “verse of the day.” Still, the true treasure is when we dive into the pages, take time to search deeper into meaning, and seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for fresh revelation. Like the raspberries, our superficial gleaning doesn’t reveal the hidden fruit and isn’t satisfying to our souls.

Jesus invites us to come to him; we must open the door and seek him. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 NIV

God desires a deeper relationship with us, but he waits patiently for us to seek him. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

As we search amongst the leaves, branches, and thorns of our daily life to seek time and relationship with our Lord, he rewards us with a more profound knowledge and understanding of His Father’s heart towards us. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Then we can honestly say we have walked in the garden with our Saviour, savouring the communion and relationship that fills us with peace and balance in our lives. Only through reading the scriptures, taking time to meditate on his words, and spending time in prayer will we develop a deeper understanding of his love for us and his purposes in our lives. Our reward, like the berries, is a sweet and satisfying taste that satisfies our longings.

What profound truth have you experienced recently? Please share in the comments below your best summer memory.