Sweetened With Time
The fig trees that shrouded the old chicken house were loaded with fruit, reminding me of my mother's fig preserves laced with lemon slices and served with her hot homemade biscuits, just another of the endless southern delicacies that might show up on our breakfast table when I was growing up.
(My mother in 1942, taken when we lived in Detroit. I was two years old.)
I wrote these words in House Not Made With Hands, reminded that when something is preserved, it gets sweeter and more delectable. If left long in the jar, fig preserves will turn to sugar. The sweetening process goes on and on. And so with life. We get to choose, though. Like a kiss to the earth by the summer sun or a gentle pat of rain, if we so desire the Lord can touch us, sweetening an otherwise bitter or unfruitful life.
Something as insignificant as a tiny fig, matured by time and nature's touch, has an amazing lesson for us. In order to ripen and sweeten, the fig must be attached to the tree. Otherwise, it is considered untimely. And in order for us to mature and become sweetened in our lives, we must be attached to the sweetening source of existence, the Lord Jesus. God is the preserver of the faithful, and those who would be sweetened will remain close to the source of life and growth.
Proverbs 2:6-8. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is the buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment and preserveth the way of his saints."
(My mother in 1942, taken when we lived in Detroit. I was two years old.)
I wrote these words in House Not Made With Hands, reminded that when something is preserved, it gets sweeter and more delectable. If left long in the jar, fig preserves will turn to sugar. The sweetening process goes on and on. And so with life. We get to choose, though. Like a kiss to the earth by the summer sun or a gentle pat of rain, if we so desire the Lord can touch us, sweetening an otherwise bitter or unfruitful life.
Something as insignificant as a tiny fig, matured by time and nature's touch, has an amazing lesson for us. In order to ripen and sweeten, the fig must be attached to the tree. Otherwise, it is considered untimely. And in order for us to mature and become sweetened in our lives, we must be attached to the sweetening source of existence, the Lord Jesus. God is the preserver of the faithful, and those who would be sweetened will remain close to the source of life and growth.
Proverbs 2:6-8. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is the buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment and preserveth the way of his saints."
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog recently. I need to get my hands on a copy of your book! I'll ask Lynn if she has a copy. I hope to see you at the reunion next summer!
ReplyDeleteLove
Audrey
Audrey, thanks so much. I would love for you to sign up to follow my blog. Are you talking about "House Not Made With Hands" or The Mississippi Boys?" I know Lynn has the first book. I'm supposed to be ordering her a "MS Boys" which I will do. I ran out at the reunion.
ReplyDeleteI do hope to get to the next reunion. See you then.