Yours For The Pickin’

I spent some marvelously refreshing time with my grands up at our Smoky Mountain cabin over the past few weeks. It was thrilling for this dyed-in-the-seersucker, perpetually sweaty Floridian to hike through the 55-degree summer morning mountain mist and encounter not-quite-ripe wild blackberries just begging to be collected within a week or two for a piping hot, delicious blackberry cobbler like my granny used to make.

Memories of Granny sending my sister and me out to the woods with buckets in the sweltering heat of summers in north Florida where I grew up popped into my head like the sound of swatting the pesky mosquitas (spelled like it was pronounced in that neck of the woods) that swarmed us. Blackberries were a chore to pick because they’re usually deep in the woods far off the easy beaten path and protected by sharp thorns that would prick our tender skin and leave us with blood smeared all over our arms and legs (thus drawing even more blood-thirsty mosquitas).

But once we got home with pails brimming of sweet, juicy, sun-ripened blackberries (and fingers and faces stained purple from all the taste-testing necessitary for efficient picking), the residual sunburn and annoying prickly hazards of the job were soon forgotten when a spoonful of Granny’s sugar-crispy, cinnamon-whiffing, prize-winning cobbler hit your bowl. (Disclaimer: Ya had to eat blackberry cobbler in bowls instead of plates or you might miss a tiny morsel. Plus, you had to be ready with a spoon in hand in case Mama brought out a surprise scoop of vanilla ice cream to plop on top of the warm cobbler.)

As I stood smiling at the smattering of blackberry bushes in the hills of North Carolina, it occurred to me that these delightful little summer fruits that came at a cost to pick and enjoy were something like the Christian life. When we choose to accept Christ as our Savior, the One who bridged the great divide to his heavenly Father – and now our heavenly Father – the sweet life is ours for the pickin’.

Yep, not just the promise of heaven one day (like looking forward to Granny’s blackberry cobbler), but the factual opportunity to enjoy Papa God’s presence NOW, right here on this earth. Every single day. In every decision, every sorrow, every triumph, every second of this blessing of life He’s gifted to us.

And trust me, my friend, there’s nothing sweeter. Nothing.

So please ignore the proverbial blackberry stains on my face as I enjoy the benefits of having Papa God as my sweet and faithful daily companion. Hey, who needs a bucket?

What special childhood memories does summer bring to you, dear BFF (Blessed Friends Forever)? Please reply in the comments below so your entire community of BFF friends can enjoy your answer. (That includes YOU, Pammy!)

P.S. I’ve been asked to re-post the link to the brand new FREE Bless Your Heart YouVersion Bible plan (you’re gonna love this! These online Bible study and devotional plans are awesome!) so to download it, just click HERE.

P.S.S. Many thanks to all of you who have let me know that you’re finally receiving your copy of Bless Your Heart, my brand spankin’ new 365-day devotional. We’re celebrating the release right this minute and I’d love to hear your feedback once you’ve had a chance to dig into your copy. If you still haven’t ordered one yet (and don’t forget to order one for a friend) you can do so by clicking HERE. I am so, so grateful for your faithful support!