Several weeks ago I was fortunate to have picked raspberries before the first heavy frost that fall had to offer. I almost did not make the trip and now, looking back, I am so thrilled that I did because I came home with about four quarts of berries. We delighted in those fresh berries, but most of them made their way into freezer bags to tantalize our taste buds when the snow is flying and piling up during the winter months, giving us a break from the usual purchases of fruit that the stores have to offer.

I was by myself on the morning I chose to pick the berries. The sun was shining but there was a very brisk, sharp breeze in the air making me happy that I chose to wear a sweatshirt with a hood. As I approached the berry plants I was surprised at how many still had fruit hanging from the branches. With my bucket in tow, actually tied about my waist, I began my task. Not too soon into my picking experience I realized that I was beginning to learn some lessons that came in word pictures for me as I worked my way among the ample supply of berries.

1. Picking raspberries is tedious work. My bucket seemed small until I began to notice that it was going to take a bit longer than anticipated to cover the bottom neverless fill it to the brim. Because I can be impatient I began to ponder if I was really enjoying this experience.

2. Some of the best berries were hidden. I had to kneel, bend, squat, and look twice to find some of the best berries which meant taking hold of a thorny branch and turning it over to find sweet, red berries. Doing so often paid off in a handful of wonderful, red fruit plus a prick or two from a thorn. Ouch!

3. I spilled my bucket of berries in the grass–twice. That was no fun. As I attempted to retrieve the fruit of my labor I discovered I was having a difficult time not getting grass and other plant life in my bucket. Argh!

4. Every once in awhile a bee or two buzzed around my shoulders or hands as I worked. I even met a small black spider who was minding his own business as he made his way across a leaf. He had good company from small beetles who were busy chewing holes in the leaves of the plants. I chuckled. A friendly sign in the shed warned me that the bees were busy at work, as well as other creatures of nature. Smile!

5. Before too long my bucket was full and my back was sore. So were my legs. My cheeks were chilled from the air and my resolve to go home with ample berries was satisfied.

During the time it took me to pick my berries I could not help but think of how they were teaching me about God and my relationship with Him.

1. Spending time with God is sacrificial. I show up ’empty’ like my little bucket, but soon, as I spend time in His Word, I am ‘filled’, sometimes to overflowing. If I don’t rush through my time with Him, I find treasures galore.

2. Some of God’s treasures are hidden. Like the best berries, in order to find and claim God’s gems for me I have to dig deep into His Word. I can’t be satisfied to read on the surface; I need to dive in feet and all.

3. I don’t always hold onto God’s promises. I have a tendency to walk through days that stretch into weeks of neglecting to remind myself of who I am in Christ…His child who was chosen, set apart, forgiven, made holy and blameless. The list is exhaustive. These are some of my favorites.

4. Like the thorns from the berry bushes that prick skin and cause irritation, sin creeps into my life, sometimes quite subtly. I need to remind myself every day to be on guard and gird myself with the Word of God and dress myself in the Armor of God knowing that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

5. Spending time reading God’s Word and talking to Him has benefits beyond description. Doing so isn’t a checkmark on a “to do” list that later gets an announcement to friends and family “hey, look what I did–I spent time with God!” On the contrary, it’s rewarding time whose benefits naturally overflow into the lives others and my family as we live in our relationships.

I like raspberries but I love God. I like a full bucket of berries but I long for the fullness of God. I want to be fast when it comes to picking berries. I want God to take His time as He continues to mold me to His perfection. I can tolerate bees, beetles and spiders. I am ashamed when sin enters my life.

My four quarts of berries in the freezer will not last a long time as we begin to enjoy them this winter. My portions with God cannot be contained. In fact, they cause my spiritual bucket to tip over….and this time when I scoop up the treasures there are no ‘weeds’ to contend with as I refill my bucket.