The Choice
to Plant in a Fertile Field
I was reminded of the story of the farmer who wanted to
plant an orchard of peach trees. He had just started working with
the soil when he noticed that his neighbor was also going to plant
peach trees. He became very worried that perhaps his peaches wouldn't
be ready first. So, he quickly stopped what he was doing and planted
his trees. Time passed, and his trees began to flower, he noticed
that his neighbors trees were not flowering yet and he was very
pleased. He was eagerly awaiting the fruit of his labor and was
very proud of himself. Then his trees began to have some fruit
and he was so happy that his trees produced Peaches first. However
it soon became apparent that although his neighbors trees produced
later than his, the neighbors trees were full of Peaches and the
trees were more healthy. The neighbor had taken the time to make
sure the soil was ready, to nurture the growth of each tree from
the beginning. The care had been taken in the preparation as well
as the growth and the result was obvious.
The same can be said of our own need to flower and bear the fruit
of our labor. The most important ingredient is the foundation
that is laid and the care and time taken in the preparation for
your future growth. It is not important who is first, rather that
you are ready.
Have you ever experienced the desire to be first in something
rather than to take the time necessary to make a good beginning?
Or have you ever been in the middle of making a good start and
became hurried to finish first? If so, I would love to hear about
your experiences and what you learned from it.
- Mari Hall
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