Where's the Fruit?

Tom and I will often end our days with a little porch sitting. We love to take in the view and listen to the sweet sounds of summer. One particular evening, I glanced over and our lemon tree caught my eye. This tree has been less than fruitful and comes with a little story...

For Sydney's 16th birthday, she wanted a lemon tree and her aunt obliged. It's proved to be a tricky little tree. The first lemon came after 9 long months. This said tree will often fake us out by producing pretty little flowers, which you would think would grow into lemons, but that has not been our experience. These flowers will come and go year after year yielding very few lemons. Despite much love and care, this little lemon tree has graced us with three lemons in five years! We have repotted the tree, we water it abundantly, it has plenty of sunshine, and we have moved it in and out of the house during the winter months for 5 whole years! It is now a matter of principle to keep this unproductive tree alive.

On that particular evening, I was noticing how healthy the tree looks. The branches are strong, the leaves are plentiful, lush and green. I said just that to Tom ending with the question, "But where is the fruit?" Without much thought he profoundly responded, "It will give fruit when it is time!" Now, this likely doesn't seem to be a profound statement to you but it really struck a chord with me!

I feel like I am one with the lemon tree! I'm in a season right now where I'm asking myself that same question...where is my fruit? This season leaves me with a nearly empty nest (two kids in college), no career, and I find myself thinking, now what? I am unsure of where the Lord is taking me but it feels like He's taking me somewhere.

The lemon tree has been well cared for and is still not producing fruit and I can so relate to this scenario. I'm striving to walk in obedience, I spend daily time with the Lord, and still find I'm in a season of questionable purpose. So to borrow from Tom...I will be in this season until it's time for the next one. There will be "fruit" when it is time!

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:3

Not all seasons are fruitful. Even in Mother Nature, there is a season for growth and a season for rest. Things must die and rest in order to be ready for new growth in the spring. The scripture above states that the tree will "yield its fruit in season" and that is the same for us. If we are walking in obedience, we will yield "fruit" in a season determined by His timing. If we abide in Him as we navigate these uncomfortable seasons, we also will not wither, as mentioned in the scripture above.

It is prudent to do a self-assessment if you find yourself in an unsettling season. Are you walking in obedience? Is there something the Lord has asked you to surrender that you are holding on tightly to? Do you have willful sin that needs to be addressed?

Assessing oneself is important but we must use caution not to assume that when we find ourselves in these seasons that it is always due to God's need to discipline us. God knows that sometimes we just need a minute and unless He forces us, we just won't take it! He knows what is coming next and may want to use this season of rest to make sure we are ready for the task to come!

I'm grateful for the rest. I'm grateful for the growth. When I get antsy or bored, I remind myself of how grateful I am to have this season of rest so that I can be present in all things.

No season lasts forever. We are always changing and hopefully growing! I'm getting ready for the next season!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." -Ecclesiastes 3:11