Melons On The Back Steps

 

I

n the early light of a June morning, just as the sun's rays began to caress the trees and flowers, a southern farmer gently placed several cantaloupe melons on the back steps of a house.  Inside, he knew everyone was still snoozing, clinging ever so jealously to those last few moments of deep, restful sleep.   He placed the last of the melons on the top step, turned, descended the stairs, got back in his truck, and headed off to market.  A gentle smile spread across his face as he thought of the surprised look that two little boys would have when they opened the backdoor and discovered the melons. 

 

Not long after the farmer departed, one of the little boys opened his eyes, rubbed the sleep out, and sat up in bed.  It was very still in the house.  The only sound was his mother's voice humming softly in the kitchen.  He got gingerly out of bed, not wishing to wake his younger brother, and lazily strolled into the kitchen.  His mother greeted him with a warm smile and a big hug.  He went to the backdoor and opened it.  He liked to go out on the back porch and look at the large apple tree that grew in the backyard.  As soon as he opened the door, he squealed with delight. There, on the top step, sat three huge cantaloupe melons, ripe and ready for the table.  He ran back in and told his mom what he had found.  She simply said, “Uncle Stowe has been here.” 

 

Yes, there was a real Uncle Stowe and he delivered melons in the summer.  Yes, there was a real little boy who always loved finding the melons on the back steps.  You see, I was the little boy and Uncle Stowe, actually my great uncle, regularly left fresh cantaloupes on our back steps.  We never wondered where they had come from because Uncle Stowe always kept us well stocked in melons.  He just loved sharing with us.  My mom always said Uncle Stowe had the prettiest melons she had ever seen.  I agree, but I don't think it had anything to do with the melons; it had everything to do with Uncle Stowe.  The melons were better than those purchased in the store because they were left there as a gift and with love.  That was just Uncle Stowe's way. 

 

Every time I eat cantaloupe, I think of Uncle Stowe and the wonderful display of love he left on our doorstep.  The melons were symbolic of his personal love and care for our family.  Jesus talked a great deal about love for others.  He went so far as to say that unless we demonstrated our love for other people, we weren't his true followers.  In John 13:35, Jesus says, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  There you have it, plain and simple.  The hallmark of our devotion and loyalty to Jesus Christ is demonstrated by our love for other people. 

 

But how do we love others?  Jesus said we are to love our neighbors, those around us, as we love ourselves.  Now, just think about that for a moment!  How do we love ourselves?  We make sure we have something to eat. We make sure we have clothes to wear, we make sure there is a roof over our heads, and we make sure we are in good health!  This is how we are to love others as well.   

   Wherever you are today, take notice of those around you.  No doubt there will be people who need something.  Perhaps they have physical needs you can meet, such as clothing or food.  It is possible they may have a financial burden you can help ease.  However, I think it is very likely you will encounter someone today who just needs a friend, someone to listen to them, someone to care about them.  All around us people are starving for love, for friendship, and for true understanding.  The love that Jesus gives was never intended to be hoarded; it was meant to be shared. 

Uncle Stowe had plenty of melons in his garden.  He could have taken them all to market and sold them for profit.  Instead, he decided to share some with us on a regular basis.  We always knew from where the fruit had come, and we were always touched that Uncle Stowe was faithful in letting us know he thought about us and loved us.   

Are we faithfully sharing God’s love with those around us?  Are we leaving any evidence behind us that we are the followers of Christ? How long has it been since you let someone know you cared about him or her?  How long has it been since you showed someone you really loved him or her?  How long has it been since you shared the love of Christ with those around you?  Don't you think it's time you left melons on someone’s back steps?  Why not do it today?