This parable is a fictional work inspired by Alliance Church teachings and the Bible. While it contains biblical themes, it isn’t direct scripture. Always ”hold fast to what is good” and consult the Bible for direct teachings.
In a quiet village, there lived a gardener named Samuel. Samuel had a vast garden, filled with a variety of plants, trees, and flowers. But more than a gardener, Samuel was a seeker of God, always looking for ways to draw closer to Him.
One day, a traveler named Eli approached Samuel, looking weary and forlorn. Samuel, recognizing the divine spark within Eli, welcomed him with open arms. ”Come, rest in my garden,” he offered.
While they walked, Eli confessed, ”I’ve wronged many and carry the weight of my past.” Samuel, pausing to look at a withered plant, shared, ”In the same way this plant needs care and forgiveness to thrive, so do our hearts. As it is written, ’Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ (Colossians 3:13)”
Eli, touched by Samuel’s words, decided to stay and work in the garden. As they toiled together, Samuel taught Eli about God’s provision. ”See these plants? By tending to them, they bear fruit. So it is with our work for God. ’Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’ (Colossians 3:23) In doing so, God provides for our needs.”
As days turned into weeks, the garden began to flourish. Birds, animals, and even people from neighboring villages were drawn to its beauty. Samuel, always seeing the divine in others, welcomed them all. He said, ”Love your neighbor as yourself. There’s no greater commandment than this.” (Mark 12:31)
One evening, as they sat around a fire, a woman from the village challenged Eli, doubting his transformation. Eli, filled with newfound wisdom, responded, ”Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” (1 John 4:1-2)
Time passed, and Samuel, feeling his age, called Eli to his side. ”Always remember to hold the love of God in your heart. Await His coming, for as it is written, ’I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.’ (Revelation 3:11) Even when I’m gone, remember the lessons of this garden.”
Eli, with tears in his eyes, nodded. After Samuel’s passing, he became the new caretaker of the garden, always cherishing the lessons he learned from the compassionate gardener.