Little Green Apples

When we bought our new home last year, we inherited a lovely yard and garden. Including an apple and tree. During our first spring/summer here last year we had such fun watching everything bloom and grow, finding surprises here and there in what was popping up. Sadly, because of a late freeze last year, we didn't have any apples, so this year we've all found excitement in watching the blooms go from a flower to a real apple (what can I say, it doesn't take much to get us excited around here!)

Last week, J was playing out back with some buddies when he came running in the house with a half eaten small, green apple.
MOMMA MOMMA look what I have!! He was just tickled about this apple and I couldn't hardly get a word in edge wise. But, when he finally took a breath, I had to break his bubble and tell him that the apple wasn't ripe and shouldn't be eaten.
But, Momma, it looks like a real apple and it's kind of sweet!

Yes, I know but if you wait until it turns red, it'll be so much sweeter and taste so much better.

But, MOOOMMMM, I don't want to wait!!

Yes, I know Dear, but you must -trust me on this one. I promise they'll turn red and you'll be happy that you waited!

Shoulders drooped, Ok Mom.

As J went back outside to play, I couldn't help but smile thinking of all -ALL- the times the Lord and I have had the exact same conversation.

The boy I wanted to marry. That I begged God to let happen.
The babies I wanted so desperately and had to wait seven years for.
The jobs.
The opportunities.

Lots of times, I've tried to convince the Lord that what I wanted would be 'good enough', just like J was trying to tell me about his little green apple.

Of course, I can look aback over my life and see what wisdom there was in waiting and what Glorious Good, come from God's perfect timing, but at the time - well, at the time it was so hard and painful.
Going through seven years of infertility, at the time, I would have NEVER said was a blessing. But, now on the other side of it, I can see how God was working all things out in His timing.

There's the Hubs, who has blessed my life beyond measure. I can look back now and laugh with delight as I see how God was working his plan out for us to meet. But, the years before that I certainly didn't have that perspective. I wanted what I wanted and didn't want to hear,' just watch and wait to see what I have growing and ripening for you.'

There are other things too, jobs I didn't get, only to get the next one of few weeks later and seeing how much better that one was for me.

But, there are things now I'm still waiting for. Still waiting for God to move on my behalf, but now with a few years of perspective, I don't have to beg Him to let me just go ahead and eat the little green apple, but I can wait (sometimes patiently) for things to grow and ripen until they are just the perfect time for me.

Not always easy-rarely easy. But, oh so good, to look back and see how a tiny blossom in my life, he as turned into a full and ripened fruit that I can enjoy for His glory.

Whatever you're waiting for right now, hold on, harvest time is coming!