The Versatile Tomato

“Oh look, another tomato is almost ripe,” I told my husband.

One summer our tomato plants produced well. We enjoyed the availability of fresh tomatoes for our sandwiches and salads. I cooked the extra ones and put them in the freezer for later use in chili and vegetable soup.

This garden produce can also be used in pasta dishes, salsa, and catsup. There seems to be no end for the use of tomatoes. It is sometimes the main ingredient in a dish such as tomato soup, and other times it is almost hidden, as in chili. Sometimes it is the small accent flavor, such as in taco salad, and yet in vegetable soup, the tomatoes are just part of the whole mixture. This great vegetable is versatile in usage.

Some Christians are like the tomato, they are willing to serve in any area where needed. They don’t necessarily want to be in the lime-light, but if needed they can fulfill that capacity. They are willing to work with a group or by themselves. They have ideas and suggestions, but allow others to have input. It is a joy to work with Christians who behave in this manner.

Allowing God to use us as He chooses is rewarding to all concerned.

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5b-6 (NIV)

Helen L. Hoover