Understand the Season

I love the way God does things. Last week I tried to share this story in another post but I could not remember the details. I couldn't find where I saved the email either. Wouldn't you know it that a group that often sends me email updates included this story in their email update yesterday! I love it! ;)

Now, when I first heard this story it was from the perspective of not judging one another by the one season we see that person going through. A reminder that we are all more than the one season we are going through at this time. But yesterday this story was shared with a slight change in the focus. We must not even judge our own lives too quickly - what a great message. So I hope you enjoy reading this story of seasons - I know it is a great lesson in perspective no matter how you apply the lesson.

Understand the Season

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent each of them on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and returned, he called them all together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent and twisted.

The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was lad with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The father then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree or person by only one season. The essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of spring, the beauty of your summer and the fulfillment of your fall.

The moral of the story for all of us is, don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Today I want to remind you not to judge life by one difficult season. As you persevere through the difficult and challenging seasons in your life, know that better times are on their way. Don't grow weary in doing right or working hard because in due season you will flourish and have success!