Sweat running into my eyes, I spied an acorn in my front yard and held it over my head, anticipating the coolness of shade. Finding no relief from the glaring sun, I quickly grew frustrated and threw the acorn aside, wondering what was the matter with it. Don't acorns come from oak trees? Shouldn't an oak tree provide shade on a sunny day? Apparently nobody told the acorn.
Ridiculous story, right? We all know an acorn doesn't provide shade for a good 25-30 years; they need room to grow, good soil, rain, sun, and even the barrenness of winter to reach their full potential. But, how many times does the acorn scenario play itself out in real life and we fail to see it?
My two youngest boys are trying my nerves lately. They wrestle. They talk back to me. They aren't always kind to each other. Basic daily grooming requires negotiation, and a meal without drama is a thing of the past. After they had gone to bed one Sunday night, my husband and I congratulated each other for making it through another weekend.
Wallowing in the dailiness of parenthood, God showed me the acorn analogy. I am expecting oak trees when what I have are saplings, barely done being acorns. It will be years before I have oak trees, but it will come.
Whatever your situation, whether it's raising kids, growing a strong marriage, training for a race, whatever...be encouraged. Don't add stress to the situation by expecting an acorn to function as an oak tree. Give whatever it is time to grow and mature. "Do not grow weary in doing good, for in the end you will have a harvest of righteousness. (Galatians 6:9)"
THANK YOU!! I needed this today! There are so many areas in my life that I expect way too much! There is much work to be done and I cannot expect it to happen "in a minute" as our social society deems necessary!
ReplyDeleteLove this analogy!!!
What a great analogy. It gives me a whole new perspective on stepping on acorns. Thank you.
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