Issue 773 – Windfall Apples – June 12, 2022
The move to Abbotsford was a good decision, and we are very blessed here, but there are some things I miss about our former home. As I bit into the apple, I thought about the blessing of having our own apple trees. We don’t have them in our yard in Abbotsford, but we had two trees at our home in Clearwater.
The Lord provides the apples on the tree, but owning trees means they need maintenance to be at their best. One of the required jobs is picking up windfall apples that the weather knocks off.
In Clearwater, we would pick up the windfalls and give them to some of our neighbours to be used as pig food. It’s a great way to ensure they don’t waste.
In some communities, the waste apples could have been crushed and composted, going back eventually to nourish the soil. That wasn’t a wise plan in Clearwater because it brought in the bears fattening up for the winter. It was nice to see the bears, but we didn’t like them in the yard.
After cleaning up the windfalls, the trees usually needed some trimming to open up overgrown spots so the fruit could get more sun. I would also remove some of the water sprouts that had popped up that year.
When I worked on the trees, I recognized that they could continue to grow and bear fruit for many years even without my help. There are plenty of volunteer apple trees in our general area. All seem to do okay. Not as healthy or productive as they might have been, but still alive and producing some fruit.
I recognized that by doing the work, I was helping produce a better quality apple on a healthier tree than if I left it alone. That made me think of the Garden of Eden.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 ESV
Two simple but profound truths struck me while standing on a step stool with a pair of loppers in my hand. I had known both before but was hit anew by their power.
God created us to work. The nature of the work may vary depending on a lot of factors. God also created us to have rest. He gave us six days to work and one day to rest.
We seem to have lost the idea that work is a gift from God. We want to switch to six days of rest and maybe a day of work. I have seen many people work their whole lives hoping to find pleasure in play or wanting to do nothing in their later years. That’s wrong thinking.
Retirement isn’t about doing nothing or just playing. There is no retirement age in the Bible. Moses was 80 when he started ministry. Perhaps the nature of the work changes with different stages of life, but we all have something to contribute.
There should be time for play, but there is value in work. There is more value in work well done. Some jobs are more pleasant than others, or we are better suited for some jobs than others but work well done for the glory of God is a good thing.
Secondly, we own nothing. God did not put Adam in the garden with no purpose. The Lord placed Adam there to care for God’s garden. The Lord calls us to be stewards of His earthly kingdom.
All things are given for people to use, but we must use and manage them wisely. Just as we have forgotten the value of work, we have often forgotten that God calls us to be stewards.
Until next time may you reflect on the value of your work and the importance of stewardship.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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