Sunday, May 1, 2011

Orange Blossom Special

Every morning I wake up to a vision of God’s faithfulness. The first thing I see when I open my eyes is a beautiful leafy green tree weighed down with great big, juicy navel oranges shining through the open shutters in my bedroom.When we moved into this home five years ago the tree was only about four feet tall, plain and barren. It grew a little more and suddenly after three years one perfect orange grew. Our family was so proud of that orange, we split it four ways. Last year there were four delicious oranges, one for each of us.This year the tree has exploded with over 50 orbs of citrus-y goodness.The amazing thing about it is that we did nothing, outside of waiting and watering it, to bring about the crop of overwhelming abundance. We didn’t prune, feed, shelter, or whisper sweet nothings to it. It’s breathtaking each morning to see what God has created in our humble little fruit tree.

When life seems tedious and our prayers remain seemingly unanswered, we can be sure that God is working behind the scenes to pour out on us a bounty of blessings in His timing. As Hannah waited on him year after bitter year, enduring cruel mockery from her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, because of her barrenness, she continued praying and asking God for just one son. 1 Samuel 1:20 say’s “…in the process of time…” she conceived and bore a son. God was faithful to hear Hannah’s prayers and in His providence bestowed on her the desire of her heart.When we don’t give up on God He is able to bring His plan and purpose for us into full fruition. 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord, for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7,8