I spent almost all of last week with my mother-in-law, Ellen, making jams and preserves. She has both apples and pears on her property but something had been stealing more than their fair share, taking a bite or two, then leaving the rest behind for her to find on the ground. Squirrels? Raccoons? She decided to just pick the fruit when it was not quite ripe yet, a day or two before the thief animal wanted it, save it in the fridge and make jam with it. Most of it wasn’t yummy enough for eating plain, but cooking it made it delicious.
We had 4 of these buckets overflowing with apples, and nearly 3 full of Asian pears.
It was a LOT of peeling and slicing, some at Ellen’s house and some at mine.
(So, enjoy the variety of kitchen pics!)
The beautiful thing is that goats, chickens and worms (all of which I raise!) love the scraps that are left behind. Peels, cores and even the bruised parts that we picky humans don’t want were all put to use on my miniature little farm.
All we did on Tuesday was peel and slice, then peel and slice some more!
But on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we were able to actually create beautiful new things also.
We ended up with four types of jams, 76 jars total, all different sizes and styles.
Because that is how you do it on “the farm”, lol.
Use what you have!
I have been planning to write about my adventures with fruit for several days now. Not surprisingly, God has brought the Fruit of the Spirit into my morning reading twice in the last few days. Isn’t it lovely when He reminds us of the connections that He already took the time to make between our regular daily life and our call to a life that is pleasing to Him?
Even our modern, city dwelling, grocery store buying selves know that fruit has to grow. It has to start small and become more.
That is what I want to remind you about the fruits of the spirit too.
Even when they are small, in you or the annoying people around you, remember that the fruits of the spirit aren’t done growing. Some days it will feel like the enemy has snuck in and stolen the whole crop. Don’t get discouraged. Just find a different plan- maybe you need to “harvest” early!
Share your fruit with those around you, my friends.
Patiently help them ripen theirs.
The more you share, the more you will have.
I promise!
