This morning I stopped by the Farmer’s Market in my town. It’s peach season and being there reminded me of this devotional I wrote recently…
The other day a fruit stand on the side of the road caught my attention. As I approached the stand, a weather-worn farmer who looked to be in his eighties gave me a bright smile.
He extended his hand, which held a gorgeous peach and asked, “Would you like to try my fruit?” I accepted and it was delicious. The farmer smiled with satisfaction and said, “It’s good, isn’t it?”
When he made that comment, I thought back to Genesis. God had just created the world and I could almost hear Him say to the angels with a smile of satisfaction, “It’s good, isn’t it?”
Then I thought about my own life. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit” (JOHN 15:5 NIV).
But unlike the farmer, I often hesitate to share the fruit God produces in my life with those around me. I think it’s not good enough. I’m afraid they won’t like it. So I hide it away.
But what if the farmer did the same? His peaches were delicious, but they weren’t perfect. There were bumps, bruises, and scrapes in some places.
He could have hidden them in his barn out of shame and fear until they rotted away. Then I, and many others, would have missed out on something wonderful.
So I’m challenging all of us today to offer our fruit. Whatever gifts God has entrusted to us, let’s share them. Whatever talents He’s blessed us with, let’s use them. Whatever words of encouragement He’s placed within our hearts, let’s speak them.
Those who receive our fruit will be blessed. And perhaps our Heavenly Father will smile with satisfaction as He sees the fruit in our lives and once again say, “It’s good, isn’t it?”
