It will clear and the vision will be beautifully revealed.

“”Please sir, the weight is too great for my branches to hold.  Please put some braces under them to help support my fruit as it grows to maturity.”  The apple tree said to me as I looked at the broken branch dangling from its trunk.”  

I had a dream two nights ago that my wife and daughter found quite funny as I relayed it to them.  And on the surface it is, but a deeper examination leads to a powerful life metaphor.

Several years ago, ‘our’ local Walmart had market down their remaining fruit trees from the Spring season, compelling me to jump on the deal.  (I love a good deal!). We bought apple, peach and pear trees with great enthusiasm and expectation.  We lovingly planted them and waited for the bounty to come.  And waited, and waited, and waited.

As we watched the trees, two of the six we planted died due to our co-inhabitants, the deer, enjoying the tender bark and leaves of these young trees to the point of their death.  (Another metaphor story awaiting.).  I would cautiously mow around the remaining trees, slowly losing faith that they would bear fruit after years of quiet.  And as the years went by without fruit, my caution when mowing and expectation of production moved from expectation to resignation.

“Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.”  Exodus 17:12 NLT

This fourth year, the largely ignored fruit trees are filled with young apples and pears.  While their caretaker cared less, their purpose for existence emerging.  The years of growth, patience, preparation and existence now yielding fruit, beautiful fruit.  These trees, resolute in what they are, ignored the silence, fought through the neglect, weathered the seasons of flood and drought and now quietly and majestically are delivering the fruit that they were created to provide.

By now I am sure that the life metaphor of this little apple tree is clear.  The extension that I want to make sure is also understood is the need for support as we deliver the purposes of our lives that God has uniquely placed within each of us.  My dream of the apple tree’s broken branch filled with fruit provides a clear image of the need for preparation.  The preparation involving aligning with others who will help support us as we achieve what we have been created and assigned to deliver.  There is zero shame in asking or admitting the need for help.  Failure lurks in the form of foolish pride when the fruits of our labor require the help of others in our path, and we don’t ask.

My current favorite verse in the Bible is Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” (NKJV). In my current season, this verse gives me permission to be vulnerable and admit I desperately need help.  How great to know that Jesus needed the care and nurturing of the angels after his 30 days of temptation in the wilderness with Satan.

So, my little discounted trees, discarded by time and waning expectation are thriving.  Quietly growing the fruit they were created to deliver.  I love that God reminded me in the form of a dream that his timing and his yield abides within each of us.  I love that He reminded me that we cannot achieve our purposes without the help, encouragement and when exhausted, being held up by those He has placed in our path.

You’re close to yielding what God has placed within you.  Please don’t give up.  Shout out, “I need someone to hold my exhausted heart so I can breathe again.”  Rest in the knowledge that God hears you.  That he is growing you.  That he loves the vulnerable you who admits need and accepts help.  Ability is a burden worth the weight.  Achievement is never a solo journey.  

Your days of yielding fruit are coming.  Being ready begins with surrendering to the life preparation that most likely is not crystal clear.  

Take another step today…