Image Credit: Chiot’sRun/PhotopinCC
I thought about apple trees this week. Not because apples are my kitchen theme, but because of some things that made me think.
I found this wonderful quote by the great—and somewhat controversial—theologian, Martin Luther .
I pondered it. I dissected what I thought it meant, or at least what it meant to me.
For me, Luther’s quote applies to perseverance. It also ties closely to faith.
Is pressing on really worth it?
Should I still plant that ol’ apple tree even though my days sometimes head south?
Like you, I’ve faced some challenges in life.
When our family spent a five-year season in and out of hospitals, that was a challenge.
When my husband was downsized from a 20 year career he was set to retire from, that was a challenge.
And when my daddy suffered an aneurysm the day after I received an offer of representation from my lovely agent, that was indeed a challenge. Think mountain top high to death valley low kind of challenge.
My father survived. Then my mother had open heart surgery last year. Yep—another challenge.
And then there’s this writing journey thing. I’d like to say it’s the least challenging of all, but it’s not. (Does that make sense?)
Writing is THE hardest path I’ve navigated yet.
Why?
Well, despite all the other hardships, the writing life doesn’t end.
Writers write during all sorts of up-and-down circumstances. Sometimes, we put the actual process on hold for a time, but true warriors of the written word always toss the words and stories around in their brains regardless of what’s happening in the present.
If you write, you know what I mean. We can’t help it. It’s part of the creative process.
A word, a thought, an action—all triggers that serve as springboards. Rarely, do these what if cues turn off.
Whether we write these things down or not, they circulate in our subconscious. Building steam. Waiting.
During the past several years, I’ve not slept as much as I should. I’ve sacrificed fun things for work. I’ve revised projects, attended conferences, read craft books, and pursued the traditional publishing path for a long time now.
It’s wearisome.
Why do it then?
Back to that ol’ apple tree.
I already planted it. It’s not something I consciously thought about.
I did it.
It’s done.
I put the thing in the ground a long time ago.
For many seasons, I’ve watered it. Fed it. Nurtured it. Loved it.
It’s been hard. I’ve faced obstacles.
But the surprising thing is… I’d do it again!
What other choice is there?
Planting our apple trees in drought-filled seasons doesn’t make sense. Especially when the world seems crazy off-kilter and opportunity eludes us.
Here’s the truth though:
We don’t plant the apple trees because it makes sense.
We plant the trees because of faith.
We believe whatever God’s sown in our hearts will come to fruition when the season’s right.
It probably won’t be the season that makes sense. It’ll be the one we least expect or the one we think that won’t arrive.
Because that’s God’s specialty—rewarding perseverance and faithfulness with too-good-to-be-true surprises!
***
Okay, you have my take. What about you?
Would you still plant your apple tree—whatever that is?
***
PLEASE SHARE
The Martin Luther quote you should ponder: (Click to Tweet)
If you had to do it all over again, would you? (Click to Tweet)
Blessings Always,
Comments 4
If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it – but not for the journey itself.
Not that the journey wasn’t worth it for its own sake, but that’s beside the point.
The circumstances of life – choosing what I thought would be a lifetime career that wasn’t – placed me where I could save the lives of the dogs who are sleeping around me as I write this.
It’s been a hard trip, and losing that 20-year career (oh, how I sympathize, Cindy!) wasn’t much fun either…but then I look at Josie and Reebok, two Ridgeback sisters whom we met outside a WalMart on a sunny Saturday a few weeks after my termination.
They were there on a last-chance outing with the local animal shelter. They were set for killing on Tuesday morning.
If I’d still been working I would have been on a field trip that day.
Yes. It was worth it.
Josie? Reebok? You guys agree?
WOOF! WOOF!
Author
Such a great end to Josie and Reebok’s story, Andrew—and a new beginning for you!
Yes, there are definitely some milestones I’d leave out of the journey. Because of Christ, I’d still persevere though. Not in my nature to languish.
I *think* I’d still plant my apple tree…if I’m considering writing the apple tree. Although I will admit, I have days where I think, man, it’d be easier to have one career…to live one life rather than feeling like I’m living two lives. 🙂 And I’ve thought many times, could I be happy without writing? In some ways, I really think I could.
BUT I don’t necessarily write because it makes me happy. I’m a storyteller. It’s just…me. So I think even if I stepped away from the writing career, I’d still be telling stories in some way, shape or form. So yeah…I think I’d probably still plant the apple tree. Haha! (I don’t actually plan to step away from writing, FYI. Not anytime soon anyway. But I do think about it…generally on nights when my characters aren’t behaving or mornings at 5 a.m. when I’m having trouble convincing myself it’s worth getting up early. Haha!)
Author
Melissa, having two careers— that is tough! Years ago, I worked in a profession that left me physically and emotionally drained, and then I came home and cranked out words, determined to keep sight of my main goal. It was an exhausting time. Now, although I work from home, you’d think I’d have more time. I do in a way, but I work probably too much. Still. (I am better about saying “no” and I make breaks a priority–although I could do a better job about that.)
You have the gift of storytelling and God has His finger on the pulse of your desires. I know He’s lining up things in accordance to His will, plan, and purpose for your life. I can’t wait to see where He takes you!