January 10

When I was a kid, I remember my mother preserving vegetables by canning them. Tomatoes, pole beans, and pickles are the ones I remember the most. They made such a beautiful display. My favorite was when she preserved guava jelly! What a wonderful tasty treat that was! She would start by selecting the finest fruits and vegetables, then prepare them by cleaning, stemming, pealing, and whatever was needed before filling the jars. This had to be done carefully so that bacteria wouldn't have a chance to grow and possibly make us sick from eating them. Our family would benefit from all the trouble she went through because of the wholesome meals she was able to create. The life of those fruits and vegetables was saved and the process of ripening stopped. This is a good example of how our lives are being kept through Jesus. Aren't you grateful that He chose to preserve your life?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9