I'm not a farmer but thanks to our friends who used to live in our house, we have three pear trees and one peach tree. And this year we had a bumper crop (someone will have to tell me what that means some day!). As the Summer progressed, the little tree just kept making more peaches. Before I knew it the branches sagged under the weight and the leaves almost touched the ground. I was really concerned that those main branches might actually break.
We were surprised because last year we didn't get any peaches. We think it was the early and violent rain storms that may have ruined all the blossoms.
The year before we had 20 or so peaches that were perfect. Every morning they were ripe I would go out to the front yard and pick my breakfast. I also gave away a few to neighbors who really enjoyed them.
But this year was a different story. Instead of a few choice peaches or bare branches we had overload. I couldn't pick them fast enough. I had picked all we needed, given many to neighbors and we were still overwhelmed.
Finally, Mindy had the good idea to post on our communities' facebook page and invite our neighbors to come and pick some for their families. We are grateful that they came and our tree now looks very relieved to stretch those weary branches.
Reflecting on Fruit Trees
I've been thinking a lot about trees since I read Andrew Peterson's book on the trees in his life. You can read about three trees in my life here. So as I tried to manage "my crop," I have been searching for the life lessons I can pick up from my little peach tree.
The lesson that keeps coming back to me is a lesson about fruitfulness and consistency. Our peach tree has not been consistent. An arborist could tell me all the reasons for this, but all I know is that some years it has a lot and some years there isn't a peach to be found.
We are an awful lot like that as people. We aren't consistent. We want to do one thing but often do another. We try and exercise but then get to busy or simply blow it off. We go to church some weeks and sleep in others. Sometimes we are thankful and other times we are ungrateful and angry.
The reality is that, like my peach tree, I struggle with the ups and downs of life. When I don't have any fruit, I complain, when I have too much I groan and when I have just enough I am tempted to hoard. Instead of being content, I find a reason to worry no matter how much fruit is growing in my life. That is why I'm so thankful that I have Jesus as part of my daily life.
When I have no fruit, He comforts me and challenges me to grow close to Him and what He is up to.
When I have too much going on, He helps me prioritize and gives me the strength to hold up under the weight.
When I have just the right amount, He teaches me the joys of contentment and rest.
How are you handling the ups and downs of the fruit in your life today?
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