The Watermelon Patch

[nana10xs]

I grew up on a farm in a small town in Georgia.  Our house set at the end of a lane off a rural dirt road in the country, of course.  To the front and side of the house was several acres of new ground that had been cleared recently for farming.  Daddy decided to plant all kinds of watermelons in the field that year.  He even planted some with yellow centers instead of red!  All summer, as we put in tobacco and then picked cotton we, and all the workers, ate all the watermelon we could hold!  (Don't you just love ice cold watermelon, with a little salt sprinkled on it?!!)  Sometimes people traveling by would see the patch, or others who knew about it, would stop and ask for one.  We always told them to help themselves;  no charge, free to all.

Along with the crops, Daddy also raised cows and pigs, both for our meat and for market.  Now all of you know pigs will eat most anything!  So ever so often, we would take a sled to the patch, load it with the knoty or too ripe watermelons and feed them to the pigs.  The pigs really enjoyed them!!  haha

One Sunday evening, just before dark, some of us were sitting on the front porch of the house:  We could see the patch, but people passing by wouldn't notice us because the porch was shaded and like I said it was almost dark; but we could see them.  We watched a car stop by the side of the road at the patch.  Two young men got out, jumped the ditch, climb over the fence, snatch up two of the first watermelons they came to, climb back over the fence, jump the ditch, and roar off in the car.  We all laughed as we watched them steal the watermelons!  If they had only ask, they could have taken their time and selected the best, as many as they wanted.  Maybe stolen watermelon tastes better than free.  What do you think?

Some people live their lives as though they think there is a back door to heaven and they can "steal" in without anyone noticing.  They think to themselves, "I'm a good person, I work hard, I'm good to my family, I help people who need it, and I'm nice to old people."  All that might be true!  But my friends, there's no back door to heaven that you can silently steal through!  In John 14: 6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Invite Jesus into your heart as your saviour; He'll welcome you with open arms;  after all, He's already shed His life blood for you!  Let Him guide you through the only door into heaven and share blessings with you beyond your wildest imagination!

There's an old song that says, "Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land."  My friends, I don't want a cabin; I want what Jesus promised in John 14: 2-3:  "In my Fathers house are many mansions:-------I go to prepare a place for you.----That where I am, you may be also."  That's what I want.  Will you join me there, "In the sweet by and by?"

[Lb128f]

Aug. 17, 2010 at 3:18 PM

Thank you for sharing this story and verse! I think for a moment...I was there! :-)

[milbrey]

Aug. 19, 2010 at 5:29 PM

Thanks for sharing your story with us. You are a wonderful writer and yes, I too felt like I was there. Many people do not know what the biggest sin is. You can be one of the nicest people in the world but it will not get you into heaven, No there is no back door..Jesus is the only way..love to you my dear sister.

[Sonkissedpeach2]

Aug. 20, 2010 at 1:52 PM

this is awesomE1

[Georgeann]

Aug. 22, 2010 at 9:51 AM

I stopped by to read your story. It is very good and oh so very true. God Bless. I"m going in the front door when I go. Georgeann

[Stonemommy4]

Sep. 16, 2010 at 6:37 PM

Hello Nana, what a sweet story, I loved reading it...thank you for sharing it as well...I miss you and hope that you are doing well...check in with me sometime, I'd love to hear from  you too..

Hugs♥

Robin