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"A PERSONAL STEWARDSHIP MEDITATION"
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE TEXT:
GENESIS 1:26-28A (KJV)

by Dave Ring, Pastor
LOS ALAMOS 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

SCRIPTURE TEXT: 26And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…" -- Genesis 1:26-28A (King James Version)

MESSAGE: I did not personally know my paternal grandfather; he died when I was but 18 months of age. But I grew up, at least in part, in the house he built and the yard he landscaped. The house was solidly constructed and more than adequate, but the grounds thereof were the property's outstanding feature. Fruit and nut trees were scattered throughout the approximate two acre tract -- apples, pears, peaches, quinces, plums, and cherries, plus walnuts and pecans, literally fell into my lap. There were grape arbors across the back of the property which bore bountifully each summer. The yard was honeycombed with rock paths, all of them lined by attractive flower gardens in an amazing geometric array and a profusion of color. For a young boy, there were two especially exciting aspects to that big yard -- the rustic wooden summer house out back, and the huge swing under the big tree just a few feet beyond the back door.

That was the environment in which, during about 50% of my growing years, I lived. But as I moved into my teenage years, then later left home for college and returned on holidays, I gradually noticed that all was not well. The fruit trees, one by one, died. The flower gardens gradually disappeared, the rock paths became overgrown by grass and weeds. The summer house rotted and fell in; the tree on which the great swing had hung grew diseased and eventually had to be cut down. My parents were unconcerned with maintaining the beauty of the estate, so it simply deteriorated from neglect.

A few years ago I inherited that property. And although I don't live there, I've been trying ever since to at least partially restore its former beauty. I've spent, literally, thousands of dollars on the grounds thereof. Most importantly, I've been valiantly trying to get new trees planted and growing in the yard. Thus far it's been an uphill battle. Maybe one day a boy will again swing under the canopy of a tree there. I may not ever know him, nor he me, but that's OK.

My grandfather was a good steward of what God had placed in his hands. I received and enjoyed the fruits of his labors. And I would likewise be a good steward of that which I've been given. I want to pass on God's blessings -- for a future generation to enjoy. I hope you feel the same. Amen.

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