farmer's market

This past weekend, as we were visiting friends in Charlotte, we went to a large farmer's market.  There were several long buildings with concrete floors, simple roofs and pickup trucks backed up to booths.  Each building had 40-50 places for farmers to display their produce.  We marvelled at the bounty and the amazing diversity of foods.  They were mostly fruits and vegetables that had just been picked or plucked and we spotted berries, beans, basil...corn, peppers, flower bouquets, tomatoes and all manner of fresh items.  I couldn't help but think of God's wonderful provision for His people.  He could have chosen to just give us manna, like the Hebrews of the desert, but He seems to delight in variety.  The abundance reminded me of God's desire for us to experience a full and abundant life.  I think these are two great characteristics of our Father (and His Son): they deal in amazing creativity and variety and their heart for us is abundant living.  (And, perhaps, as the Father looks at us He sees His own farmer's market of people...a crop varied in nature and purpose).   Job 36:31 For by these He judges the peoples;       He gives food in abundance.   Isaiah 55: "Ho! Everyone who thirsts,       Come to the waters;       And you who have no money,       Come, buy and eat.       Yes, come, buy wine and milk       Without money and without price.         John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   blessings, Rob Smith