I’ve got my goals of what I want to do and the person I want to be, and even though I try, I’m just exhausted.

Other days, though, I’m on top of it! I’ve been the kind of person I want to be and accomplished my goals for the day.

In my recent efforts to have more of these “good days”, I realized that there were some small but significant differences between these types of days.

When I take every spare minute to nap or check social media, I feel exhausted!

But when I carve out specific times to study, read, rest, and relax, then I feel better AND I get more tasks finished.

The Lord of the Vineyard seemed to be most concerned with two parts of the olive trees: the roots and the fruit.

Sometimes, I’m so focused on producing “good fruit”, that I forget it’s impossible without strong roots.

Roots need constant nourishment.

When I’m exhausted, it’s because I’m trying so hard to make my outward appearance look like it should. I should be producing good fruit! Other people can see my fruit! Or, even if other people aren’t watching, I tend to judge myself by my own fruit.

And ironically, when I’m only worried about producing “good fruit”, I usually come up short!

But this has been a good reminder to me to stop worrying so much about the fruit…

…and focus on the nourishment of my roots.

This includes, of course, spiritual nourishment. Taking time to dive into the scriptures. Communing with my God in prayer. Listening to the words of the prophets.

But it also means whatever “nourishment” I personally need right now. Reading. Catching up with a friend. Eating some chocolate.

So, let’s try to focus on the roots. Let’s stop pushing and regulating ourselves into producing good fruit.

Instead, we can add constant nourishment to our roots. And when our roots are good, our fruit will naturally be good, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Roots and fruit first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And what is it about?

“he saw that his olive tree began to decay…”

“It grieveth me that I should lose this tree;”

“let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor…”

It’s about our Savior trying to save an olive tree in his vineyard.

Now, this full allegory and its interpretation span the entire earth and thousands of years.

But what can I learn about the Savior’s personal mission in my own life from this lengthy chapter?

What can I learn about Christ’s nature from this story?

He wants to save me. He wants to help me. He will give me as many chances as he possibly can. He will not give up on me.

He will graft. And prune. And dig.

He will consider what soil he has planted me in and help me get good nourishment.

He will weep and grieve when I do not produce good fruit.

He will rejoice when I produce good fruit.

He will use his prophets and other servants to help me.

The allegory of the olive tree shows that my Savior cares about every branch and tree within his vineyard.

And it shows the lengths that he will go to, out of love, in order to save each member.

I am worth saving. I am worth the time. I am worth the effort.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Artwork: “Olive Tree Above Stone Fence” by Vitaliy

The post I am worth the effort first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.