Treasure Digest
The Tomato Plant
In 1975, I was a 20-year-old mother of two, in an abusive marriage, and the impact of the hopelessness of my life was hitting me. I knew if there was any hope at all, it would come only from God. I began to earnestly pray and to read the entire Bible.
For months, I felt numb and wondered if my life was so useless that even God did not want it. But I kept on praying anyway. And I went to several churches, but as soon as I saw that they were not teaching what the Bible said, I would try another one.
That year I had planted my first tomato plant, beside my front step. Someone ran over it, and I had picked the bent plant back up and strapped it with nylon to a stake. A short time later, someone kicked a ball into the middle of the plant, and it split down the middle. I attempted another mend job, and then I went to my room and prayed.
I told God that I felt just like that plant. I was broken and beaten down. I didn't mean to not trust Him, but I needed some encouragement. If He would just let that tomato plant have one tomato on it, it would encourage me and let me know there was still hope and He cared for me.
Shortly after, I went outside and, just like the song about the yellow ribbons, my plant was full of yellow blossoms! Now I had confidence in God!
I happened to see a broadcast on TV and recognized that it was a program sprouted from Mr. Armstrong's radio broadcast that had often caught my family's attention since I was a young child. Though abnormally shy, I dialed the toll-free number and a very gentle male voice took my requests for booklets and a visit. I was soon invited to attend church services and happily drove an hour each way with my two babies.
My family and I enjoyed many tomatoes from that one little plant. But most of all I began to learn about true faith in things yet unseen.