The Third Sunday in Lent
The Patient Gardener
Reflection by Randy Callender
A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”
- Luke 13:6–9
Have you ever felt stuck, like you’re putting in all the effort but not seeing any results? This feeling can be especially disheartening and scary when it comes to finding joy in our lives. This dilemma reminds me of Jesus’ parable about a barren fig tree in Luke 13:1–9. In the story, a tree hasn’t produced fruit for three years and the owner is ready to cut it down. But before he does, the gardener asks for more time, promising to nurture it with extra care in hopes that the tree will eventually bear fruit. This story taught me a valuable lesson: joy often needs to be cultivated with care and patience. Just like the gardener in Luke, we need to give ourselves time and put in the effort to nurture joy. It might not come instantly, but with patience and care, it can grow.
Twelve years ago, I learned this lesson personally when I moved to a new city for a job opportunity. Initially, I was excited about the change, but soon I felt isolated and disconnected. My daily routine became monotonous, and joy seemed as elusive as fruit on a barren tree. One day, feeling particularly low, I decided to meet someone from the local church for coffee. That conversation became a turning point, leading to new friendships and opportunities to serve in the community. Through these relationships, I discovered how joy can grow in astonishing ways. It took time, but nurturing those connections brought the fulfillment I had been missing.
Cultivating joy, I’ve learned, is a gradual process built through small, meaningful actions. Whether it’s sharing a meal, learning a new skill from someone else, volunteering, or simply listening to another’s story, these moments are like the fertilizer and water that nourish our inner garden. When we focus on what’s working—the small signs of growth, the serendipitous connections, the simple pleasures—we begin to recognize joy’s presence, even in ordinary moments.
Sometimes we complicate joy by thinking it requires grand gestures or perfect circumstances. But like the patient gardener, we only need to tend the soil of our daily lives with care and attention. Joy grows in the small acts of giving and receiving, in the connections we make, in the simple act of being fully present, to ourselves and others. By focusing on the blessings and provision of God, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy.
This perspective not only helps us find deep and lasting happiness, it also teaches us to appreciate the small steps we take toward a more joyful life.
Listen To Our Lent Podcast Episodes
We also invite you to listen to the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast hosted by Scott Stoner. This is a year-round, weekly podcast; however, during Lent, there will be two new episodes each week to enrich your experience of our Lenten readings on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
You can listen to the podcast on our website by clicking HERE. You can also find this podcast in your favorite podcast listening app (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.)—just search for Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness