Her friend asked her to explain.
She said, "Well, God picks you from the patch and brings you in and washes off all the dirt on the outside from being around all the other pumpkins. Then he cuts off the top and takes out all the yucky stuff from inside. He removes all of those seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all to see!"
The moral of this, according to the person who wrote this story, is, "It is our choice to either stay outside and rot on the vine or come inside and be something new and bright!"
Isn't that good? Doesn't that just kind of sum it up? Ever since I heard that story, as I drive around and see pumpkins, I think of this little story. I'm not sure I'll ever look at pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns the same way ever again. To think of what God has done, and what he continues to do, with my life, to clean out all of those destructive seeds and put a new light and new life within, is just so exciting.
Perhaps in this season, not just of pumpkins, but this uncertain and extraordinary season of history in which we find ourselves, we can be reminded of and take heart in the wonderful nature of God and the work he is doing in each life.
Grace and Hope to you,
Pastor Duane
