Writer's Note: Another page from my personal "Dear God" Journals. Though this was from a few months ago, the lessons learned will last a lifetime...and beyond. Here's praying that we all spend more "Me and Thee" time. You don't have to spend hours. This exchange took about 20 minutes. :)

April 2, 2015 6:27 a.m.

Good morning, Father.

I was just re-reading what we talked about yesterday. Thank you for teaching me from your word. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fig tree yesterday and listened to three sermons on it. The really cool thing is that the information I got there simply added detail to what you told me. Oh, how I love these times together and learning directly from the teacher. Please continue to teach me and please let me say tuned to You so that it is Your voice and Your voice alone that I am hearing and so that I can discern right teaching. And thank you especially for the one preacher I listened to yesterday afternoon that gave facts on the fig tree as fig trees are not part of my everyday life. Just to recap so that I can remember: fig trees grow really tall, as tall as 50 feet; they grow even wider; they have many leaves and make great shade trees, providing protection from the elements; they were very common in Israel and Palestine; and, though, it was not the “season” for figs, there should have been evidence of the fruit to come on the tree in March when this occurred. What Mark meant by “not the season” was that the fruit did not ripen for harvest until around June. The tree represented Israel, just as you said, and it is still a symbol that applies to us all today. Lord, I pray with all that I am, do not let me become like that fig tree, looking the part on the outside, but bearing no fruit. To be dried up from the roots means that the tree is no longer drawing life from the Father. Lord, please help me to always stay rooted in you and connected to you. I need you today and every day and will re-commit my life to your plan and purpose every single day that I am allowed to wake up. What do you have for me today? I love you, sweet Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Ehmen.

“Oh dear, dear child, I am so proud of your commitment to My will and purpose, and, as long as you stay committed to that, and keep living in relationship with me, you will never have to worry about disappointing me. The roots will grow deeper and you will grow more and more beautiful and fruitful. Will there be others who still stand by the wayside and look like that Fig Tree that is no more? Yes. But, together, you and I will warn those who are going in that direction so that they, too, may “turn a new leaf” before it’s too late. Child, there will always be some that have hardened their hearts, but that day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that I am the Lord. I am the only One that ever was and that ever will be. I am the same One that Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and Jesus prayed to. Yes, child, you pray to the same God! And, you serve the same God. You are a part of the same plan that was put into play before the dawn of creation. My plan hasn’t changed just because the world has changed. It remains and will remain even after the end of time. It IS just like I AM. Yes, there will come a day when the world as it is will pass away and those who know the world and things of the world only will pass away with it. But, those, like you, who know Me will live forever by my side in glorious eternity. I love you, child…with all My heart….and I AM the Lord, Your God.”