Grow like an apple

sometimes all God wants us to do is wait for his plan to come to pass. Sometimes his plan seems to make no sense. Sometimes we just need to wait, grow, and trust.  I just got through studying about the book of Esther. I always imagined that the book covered a short time; but I learned that the events covered a 10 year period. This made my respect for Esther grow so much more. She was not aware of her purpose for a long time, and then she had to have the strength to wait for the right moment to fulfill her purpose. While studying for Sunday school I also ran across this story that I had to share. Hope you enjoy!! The little apple clung tightly to the branch as a gentle breeze blew by. An older apple, noticing the younger apple’s despair chuckled and said, “Looks like your holding on to that branch for dear life little buddy.” The little apple glanced up at the older apple and said, “I am! I don’t want to fall to the ground. Don’t you know it’s hard and dusty down there? The ground is filled with worms and creepy crawling bugs. Why just take a look for yourself, can’t you see all the rotten apples down there?” The older apple thought for a moment, and then replied, “I know you’re concerned about falling from the tree, but some good things have come from the ground.”   “That’s not the life for me,” retorted the little apple,  “I plan on being hand picked by a special family, taken to their home and placed into a beautiful fruit bowl. With my shiny red skin, I shall be the most delicious looking piece of fruit in the entire bowl!” The older apple gently replied, “There is much more to being an apple than just having shiny red skin.” “Yes, I know!” the little apple quickly interrupted. “One of the children will probably take me to school for lunch or perhaps have me for a snack after school. He or she will know that I was more than just a beautiful apple with a shiny red peel. He or she will find out that my fruit is great tasting and healthy for him or her.” “Yes, yes, you could be all those things for a season,” the older apple tried to reply. But once again the little apple broke in, “Why, after he or she has finished eating the fruit, and all that is left is my core he or she will… will...“ The little apple's voice dropped, “will probably throw my core in the trash.” “Yes,” replied the older apple, “That is what your life could be like, if you decide to live for the moment and choose to reap the quick rewards.” “Whatever do you mean?” asked the little apple, “What other life is there?” The older apple spoke, “I have been trying to tell you, if you’d just slow down for a moment and listen.” “Well please hurry, as it appears that the wind is picking up again,” the little apple said nervously. Soothingly the older apple explained, “When the winds come you may be shaken from the tree and fall to the ground. It is then that your shiny red skin will keep you from splitting apart and becoming applesauce. Once on the ground a hungry bird or squirrel may find you and carry you away from the base of the tree. Once you’ve met its needs and filled its stomach, it shall leave your core and a little fruit behind. Then, your real work begins.” “That doesn’t sound a bit better," the little apple screeched. "In fact it sounds worse!” “Please allow me to finish,” the older apple said sternly. ”Once you are left on the ground, the rest of your fruit shall slowly rot and blend into the soil. It is at this point that your seeds shall be buried into the earth. For a period of time the seeds will remain in the earth, but then ever so slowly something wonderful begins to happen. The seeds begin to sprout, breaking through the dirt. The sunlight and the rain help the sprout to grow into a small tree. Within a few seasons the tree shall grow big enough to start producing apples of its own. From that season on, the tree shall produce hundreds of apples each season. So you see, little apple, there is so much more you can be.” All the little apple could say was, “Wow!” As the winds picked up you could see both the apples swinging in the breeze hoping beyond hope to fall to the ground and begin their life’s work.  http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Stories/1story07.php  http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Stories/1story07.php