My largest aquaponics system malfunctioned about 4 weeks ago and I was so busy taking care of all the other issues and repairs on my farm ( broken water pumps , leaking sinks , sickly goat, chicken coop repairs, plus helping my mom who recently had shoulder surgery, etc ) that I had to just disconnect it altogether. I moved the fish out and the grow box portion was left in the greenhouse.  Most of the plants were at their “ end” anyway, especially the tomato plants. They had turned brown and were shriveling up. I just figured that when I got the time I would clean it out and start over. I expected the tomato plants to completely die and crumble all apart. There was no water available because it was in the greenhouse away from access to rain.  When these tomato plants were at their prime , they provided the most amazing tomatoes! I picked many of them when they were green and we enjoyed delicious fried green tomatoes! 

I had a very strong “ prompting “ or “ gut feeling” to go check on my disconnected aquaponics systems , so that’s what I did. I couldn’t believe what I actually saw! I hadn’t checked on it in at least a month or even longer.  The cinder in the grow bed was completely dried out just as I had expected. What I hadn’t expected was to find a beautiful tomato plant with green leaves and at least 20 amazing fully grown green tomatoes! 

“ How in the world?” , I thought. They had not been given water or had any access to water in over a month. Their soil was completely dried up. I know scientifically that tomatoes need adequate daily watering and this plant had been brown and shriveled up a month ago.

As I stared at this amazing plant covered in newly grown tomatoes I could hear these words in my heart . “When we find ourselves in desperate situations of loneliness, sadness, dire need of help ( food and water either literally or spiritually ) , illness, hopelessness, etc . our needs are really provided to us by something that is unseen , something bigger than ourselves “. It is in these moments of total desperation that God reveals Himself the best. These moments show that He is real. When all common sense and possibilities are ruled out , He is seen . These tomatoes are a message to me to remind me that all we really have to do when we have difficulties is to go deep within. He is our help and He is here , always here. What if I had not “ listened to the promptings” to go check on my dying tomato plants? I know  that I would have missed this very special message that was meant for me.   

I am going to enjoy some fried green tomatoes and I am so very thankful !