This week I was harvesting plumbs from three plumb trees, two varieties. It is a stellar harvest for which I am thankful. There has been plenty to share with family and friends. As I was harvesting the plumbs, the Lord reminded me of His faithfulness in my life and in the life of my family.
Several years ago Bev and I, along with our family, built a home. We thought it would be our “forever home.” It was a labor of love and joy to build and create with family and friends. We were putting down roots. Part of putting down those roots was the planting of three plumb trees, two varieties. It would be a few years before we would see any fruit.
Little did we know at the time that we were going to get hit with multiple “storms of life” that would rock us at the very core. One of the storms involved letting go of the family home we had worked so hard to build from the ground up. The roots we had put down into that piece of earth were pulled up.
During that time many questions swirled around like: God, why are we going through this?, Will we every recover from this loss?, How will we start over at this season in our lives?, What will the impact on our family be?
Personally, I was struggling with a sense of complete failure at multiple levels. It was a very difficult time. Thankfully, God had surrounded us with people who would thoughtfully walk with us. He never left us alone.
Among the roots being pulled up, were three little plumb trees. We carefully dug them out of the earth, transported them to the home we currently live in and transplanted them with care. Every year the trees have been growing. Each year they have been bearing a little bit of fruit, but not much… until this year!!!
This year, however is a different story. The trees are beautiful, fully formed and are well over 20 feet tall. The deer make their way into the yard for a delicious snack. The birds take rest in the branches. Even rabbits are found nibbling grass in the shade the tree provides on a hot summer day. And yes, the plumbs, two varieties, a bountiful harvest overflowing to share with others.
God teaches us that God restores. Over this past decade I have watched Him restore so many things that were hurt or damaged in a season of intense storms in our lives. He has covered our lives with forgiveness, grace and mercy. He has increased wisdom. He has surrounded our lives with people who genuinely love and care for us, and have demonstrated so with their lives.
In fact, He is providing a bountiful harvest exceeding what I could barely dare to hope for not too many years ago. Three plumb trees, two varieties. A generous harvest of blessing.
Plumb Perspective