When I come home with a big bag of apples my family has picked, undoubtedly there are some that don’t look so great. (When you have a four-year-old helper, you never know what might end up in your bag!)
This time we had some funny shaped apples that I would have never picked. However when I cut them down the middle, they look just as nice on the inside as many of the others, and taste just as fresh and crunchy too.
Meanwhile, some of those “pretty” apples that I picked weren’t so great. Once I cut them open a couple of them had a rotten core. One even had a worm inside! How did that happen? It looked so nice on the outside. Sometimes it’s hard to judge a bad apple from a good one.
Isn’t that the way it is with people sometimes? So much of life we base on the outward appearances. But the bible says: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)
Sometimes the apple isn’t bad. It just has a little bruising. We all bear the “bruises” from the knocks of life. Just as an apple may have a bruise from rough handling, many of us are bruised by life. But that doesn’t make us bad apples! Bruised apples make the best applesauce. Bruised lives can make the best lessons, especially when your willing to share how God worked in your life in spite of the bruises.
How abut that ugly browning? Apples often turn brown after slicing. Soaking sliced apples in orange juice prevents them from browning. When I soak up the God’s word with daily devotion readings, it keeps me from turning ugly too. Daily time spent in God’s word keeps my attitude in check and reminds me of scriptures I can use through out the day.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Staying in the word every day, keeps you spiritual healthy!
Apple picking is a great way to enjoy a fall day. Whether you’re making apple cider, applesauce or apple butter, it all starts with apple picking which may seem like work to some. Just as regular bible reading may seem like work when you start, you will soon reap the sweet rewards of a relationship with God…sweeter than apple pie!
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2 (NIV)
This is a reprint of my article which appears this month in the Inspirational Stories section at ithirstnw. My daughter is now 5.
9 comments:
That was a great post.
I love how you hijacked your sisters blog.
Jenny
Sweet!
I just baked an apple pie the other day using ten apples. To be reprised times three on Thanksgiving. It's no wonder women shop that Friday.
Great analogy Kelly! I took my son and mom apple picking last weekend and was saddened to discover that up here in PA apple season peaked closer to Halloween. We gleaned the orchards for whatever scraps were left (and managed to get 20 pounds). But I, like, you discovered that some of the apples that looked good on the outside weren't that great on the inside.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Bruised apples make the best apple sauce...
Thinking on that one.
Love,
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Oh I love this!!!!!!! "Staying in the word every day, keeps you spiritual healthy!" Amen! Truly, an apple a day! I do guard His Word closely to my heart! Thank you, friend!
Now listen, are you shipping out jars of apple butter to some of your bloggy friends!!!!????? hee hee
Happy Autumnal Weekend!
Love,
Sharon
Lesson heard. Loud and clear.
I so enjoyed this Kelly! You are just such a blessing in all that you share. Glad I was able to come by.
Isn't it wonderful to know we are the Apple of HIS Eye as HIS children?! Amen.
Love ya.
I love this Kelly! It's so true too. We are prone to judge by the outward appearance first.
Now I want to make my Cinnamon Apple Braid.
Love the blog-jacking idea! You're so cute!
Apple-picking is one thing I've never done, though I've done my share of orange snipping. Sweet rewards from the effort, all the way around. Glad everyone is better at your house!
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