My Secret To Perfect Fruit

While they lived with us in their caravan, Herman and Sharon planted some fruit trees for us. A lime, a lemon, a mandarin and an orange tree. Picking mandarins off this tree is almost like picking lollies, only hanging on a branch. They are so beautifully sweet and juicy and the perfect snack without going upstairs.

When they were planted, I was excited about our new fruit trees and the idea of picking sweet, ripe fruit to eat in the garden. However, in the deep throws of parenting four small children, working and everything else, these innocent little plants suffered immensely at the hands of a time poor Mum. It is a miracle three of the four survived.

They are the proud survivors of severe black spot, various insect infestations and an ant plague or two. Not to mention the fact that it took me years to realise that if I didn’t fertilise them, I didn’t have a garden fairy who would.

Once I figured out I held the power spray the pests, fungi and fertilise, I then discovered the power of pruning. Well, the very next season the trees probably doubled in size AND from the fruit they started producing, it was clear my lack of awareness and necessary action was the missing link.

I wonder how many other things I have missed out on, just by doing nothing?

So, noticing the lemon tree looking rather sad, I got to work pruning it. Needless to say some severe and inexperienced pruning took the life of our poor lemon tree. Thankfully, God tends to our need for pruning with much more sensitivity than I.

Pruning isn’t exactly the most favourable conversation topic in our days. Perhaps only in gardening circles. But generally, we don’t talk about our failures, lack of and difficulties. What am I struggling with right now? What do I need to change?

What am I carrying thats too heavy?

You see, this last season, I must have been too distracted to notice the fruit trees needed pruning. By the time I realised, they all had flowers and I couldn’t bring myself to snip off the branches filled with so much budding fruit. I was so excited about all the mandarines on this tree. Sometimes many of the flowers fall off but this time, much of them had turned to fruit.

However, when the rain came, the weight of the fruit on the branches was too much to bear. No! My lack of attention and care caused the weight of the fruit to break the branch.

Likes, followers, friends, bigger, better, stronger. I want to control the things I can and try to control the things I can’t. And if I can’t, I worry. And if I can’t find enough value in who I am, or where I am at, I try and find it somewhere else. Noise, distraction, habits, perfection, approval, addiction?

The thing is, if we don’t prune these branches before they start to flower, we begin to grow the fruits of comparison, judgement, selfishness, pride, impatience, unforgiveness, fear, anxiety and jealousy.

Jesus tells us that worldly fruit is heavy. And it is. I know, because I have felt it.

Unlike me with the lemon tree, when God lovingly prunes our branches, it may hurt, He isn’t trying to kill us. Surrender always hurts. But God promises lighter, much sweeter fruit and the branches won’t break under the weight of it.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

Instead of our need for approval, endless searching and our need to succeed in the eyes of the world, God whispers we are already enough. Just as we are. And when we believe that, we can give that grace to others.

Despite my endless attempts to grow my own fruit, Jesus chose to be the lemon tree for me. So that I could bear His fruit in this rain filled, stormy and blood stained world.

This bible verse is often read at weddings as promise between a bride and a groom.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. LOVE NEVER FAILS.”

1 Corinthians 13:4

But this kind of love is impossible to grow on our own.

The fruit of grace comes only from Jesus, with the most humble roots of all.

When we become aware of what needs pruning and surrender it to Him, He will nourish and protect us. And we can live lighter and softer.

It is the greatest secret ever been told and it is sweeter than this world has ever known.

Many have been amazed at how Corey has handled “The Secret”. But honestly, THIS, is what is so amazing about Grace. It’s not our fruit, but His.

Taste and See…..

Mel