I look down and I find him staring right through.
It startles me. And it catches me off guard….
As he looks at his mother…what kind of fruit is he feasting on? What kind of fruit are they feasting on? Because all three of them…they munch on the fruit that falls from the tree of me.
As children look at their parents…they look through them. Fake expressions and surface responses seldom keep a child from seeing and sensing the true heart of the ones that raise them. (This is true of grown children, too – you know.) It can be frightening.
These children that litter our lives with laughter and wonder and awe (and noise!) they learn how to live under the limbs of you and me. And as they do – as they soak in and mimic and copy – they nourish themselves on the fruit we produce. Whether ripe or rotten…they ingest it all.
And this strikes me to my core.
This simple stare from my second son – it shakes me awake……again.
And as I inventory my actions – I realize that, yes – left to my own devices this orchard is corrupt….but left in the care of the Pruner…ah, this orchard survives. And it not only survives, it thrives. And not only that – it’s branches reach out wide and strong. And its leaves…they are a welcome shelter. And its fruit – gives life.
So as the Spirit blows a redeeming wind right through the branches of me – I know that only through Him is anyone ever ripe with love and joy and peace. And only because of a thorough pruning does one ever dangle down patience and kindness and goodness. And only through the Grower Himself is anyone ever rooted in faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.
Only through Him.
The church sign just on the other side of the field reads, “God makes all things new…..even you.” How did they know that the Mama just across the way – needed those words this very day?
No matter what you’ve harvested in seasons past….yield to the winds of Him and you’ll yield a bountiful crop.
And when you do – the ones perched underneath? …..they will too.
I know that look…I have often asked the same questions…convicted…what are they seeing? what are they thinking? What do I want to teach them?
A beautifully written reminder.