Growing Like Olive Plants

by Heather Tietz

Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table.

Psalm 128:3

Olive plants are not perhaps the first image that comes to mind when we think of our children.

Kudzu, cacti or some sort of jungle tree is perhaps a better fit, but I wish an olive tree was on my list. We can claim this blessing. We can pray it over our families. “God please make my children like olive trees for You!”

Years ago olive trees were plentiful in the Holy Land. These bulky trees provided shade. Their trunks were used for carving. The oil from their olives was used to illuminate rooms, to cook with, for moisturizing, and even for anointing kings. These trees lived productive lives, bearing fruit even into their millennial years. Yes, some live to be a thousand years old!

Now we see the imagery the Psalmist was painting. Oh, how we want that too!

Let our children grow like olive plants, helpful and healthy, living long, productive lives, using their gifts and talents to grow God’s kingdom!