My Bad Fig Tree

I love figs. My dad used to make the best fig preserves. I always looked forward to going to his house because I was sure there would be toast and fig preserves for breakfast. His preserves were the kind with really big chunks in them - sometimes whole figs. He got his figs from a tree that grew without much tending behind his garage - hidden from view from everything else but with a bountiful crop.

I especially like to pick figs off the tree myself. When we lived in California, we had a wonderful fig tree in our back yard. I dried those figs and they were plentiful - so plentiful that when our son's dachshund got on his hind legs to reach the branches and shake more figs down for himself, I just laughed. There were plenty of figs for all of us.

You can imagine my joy when we bought the house we are in now. There is a beautiful fig tree in our backyard. However, much to my dismay, I have not eaten one fig from that tree. The figs start to form, get hard, and drop to the ground. We have pampered that tree - watering it, fertilizing it, pruning it, clearing out the leaves underneath it - nothing works. I have often commented that I think it is related to the fig tree that Jesus cursed.

What has been so confusing to me is how normal my fig tree looks. There is no difference between the appearance of this tree and the other fig trees that have brought me such joy. My only conclusion is - there must be some problem on the inside. Something inherently bad in that tree produces bad fruit.

Many times Jesus compared us to things in nature that produce fruit such as trees and vines. He made the point that what we produce indicates who we are inside. We are saved by grace and not through any effort of our own. The evidence of grace accepted, however, is fruit produced. Ultimately, only God is the judge of anyone's productivity. He does, however, tell us to be watchful.

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit....by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:17-20 NIV).

Can You Multitask and Smell the Roses?

I am grateful for time saving devices. I love my laptop. I remember the days of typewriters, messy corrections and copies and typewriter keys getting stuck in midair. My fingers could not fly on that old typewriter like they can on my laptop. What takes minutes now used to occupy many hours.

Before cell phones, you had to be in the house in order to get an expected call. Sometimes that meant staying at home when you really needed to be somewhere else. Now that is not a problem. However, it also means that you are accessible everywhere at any time. Some people are unable to turn their phones off or leave them behind - just in case.

Some restaurants are now rewarding customers with a discount on their meal if they will check their cellphones at the door. It may be that all the time, effort and money the owners have spent to create a certain ambience for their clients was going to waste because many of their customers never noticed!

The wonders of modern technology were supposed to make our lives easier and in many ways, they did. However, even though we are more efficient in many ways, the workload has not decreased. It seems that we are now all in a mad race to accomplish more - and more - and more.

Most of us try to do several things at once - what is now called multi-tasking. Certainly, there are times when that can be successfully accomplished. What comes to my mind, however, is my attempt to carry groceries in from the car while talking on the telephone at the same time. What was supposed to be a time saver became just the opposite when I dropped a grocery bag full of jams and oils. I not only had to clean up a huge mess, but lost the products and money in the process - not quite what I had in mind.

"Jack of all trades and master of none" has been used in a positive sense to describe someone who was competent in many areas, but not expert in any particular skill. It now seems that expression can be used of practically all of us. We are doing too many things to do any of them well. That was actually the finding of a 2009 Stanford University study on multitasking. The results showed that heavy multitaskers actually lost their mental edge. Trying to do too many things at once had the effect of being good at nothing. The study’s lead author said, “We kept looking for what they’re better at, and we didn’t find it.”

Thinking back on my use of the old manual typewriter, I remember there were fewer distractions. I was never interrupted by email, a SKYPE call, or a Facebook notice. There has been a renewed interest in old manual typewriters for this very reason. It is the one way to turn off the background noise of our busy worlds and just write.

I have also noticed another trend. There are several blogs with "stop and smell the roses" as a theme. In reading through these blogs, I discovered that many of the bloggers were forced to slow down and discover the beauty of what was around them. 

Balance is the key. We need to be productive, work and accomplish the tasks that have been assigned us. However, juggling work, home, church, exercise, meals and everything in between can lead to frustration, leaving no time for fun or rest. In the process, if we miss out on the beauty of God's world, what have we really accomplished? In our rush, we may trip over some of our greatest blessings.

How can we stop and smell the roses if we rush right past them? 

God...who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

Precious in the Sight of God

This is a very personal post. As a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, God has truly blessed me with a family that has enriched me, taught me, molded me, supported me and loved me. What more could anyone ask for?

Two of the women in my family I did ask for - directly and for years. Shortly after my two sons were born, I started praying for the wives God had planned for them. I believe that Paul was led to write Ephesians 3:20 to describe how my prayer was answered - in a way that was far more abundantly beyond all that I could ask or think.

My first daughter was given to us as a toddler. We knew her, loved her and were thrilled when our son married her shortly after graduating from college. She is everything a woman could want in a daughter and more. She is the perfect mate for our oldest son and an incredible mother to three of my grandchildren.

We had to wait a little for our second daughter as our son did not meet her until he was already in the Air Force. As soon as we met her, though, we knew that the wait was over. She is not only perfectly matched for my son and an amazing mother to my grandson, but she has my taste in decorating and my love for dishes!

My girls are beautiful, inside and out. I am not aware of any other Christian women who are stronger in their faith than they are, nor any daughters who make a mother as proud as I am.

As one of them is celebrating an anniversary today, I just wanted to publicly thank God for these women who are so precious in my sight.

but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4).

The Unsung Heroes of the Olympics

I always look forward to the Olympics. While they are televised, I stay glued to the television set. When they are over, I am disappointed. Many television programs are a waste of time, but not the Olympics. What these young people achieve is amazing.

For a few days every four years, the world comes together. Politics and differences are largely set aside. A showcase of human endurance, the Olympic games give us something refreshing and inspiring. Everyone admires the dedication and accomplishments of the Olympic contestants.

Concentration usually centers on the top performers - those who carry home the gold, silver or bronze medals. However, every contestant has sacrificed time, money, and discipline for the opportunity to compete in the Olympics in hopes that they will bring honor to their country. More often than not, their families also sacrifice greatly. Many of the athletes have high hopes of receiving a medal, but all of them are aware that most contestants go home without one.

With few exceptions - those who are disqualified for one reason or another or are unable to compete because of injuries - the athletes run their race, swim in their meet, or participate with their team knowing that part of the reward is having made it to the Olympics in the first place. The best of the best of each country compete with the best of the best of other countries - all who have toiled, some for a lifetime, for the honor of the competition.

There should be no shame for those who walk away without a medal. Having become part of an elite group setting an example for the rest of us, all of these contestants should be proud that they were part of history. The fact that they finished their race is worthy of honor.

The Olympic story that sticks in my mind more than any other is not of a gold medal winner - or even a silver or bronze medal winner. I have heard it many times, often from someone giving a message of inspiration. In fact, it has been called “the greatest last place finish ever.”

In the 1968 summer games, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania secured his place in history, not because he won his marathon, but because he finished it. Although the race had been won over an hour before and spectators were leaving the stadium, those remaining were astonished as he made his way on the track for the last lap. Although he had fallen and been injured during the race and his leg was bandaged and bleeding, he did not let that stop him. When he reached the finish line, those left in the stadium rose and applauded. Asked why he had not quit, he said, “My country did not send me to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.”

Honestly, I had to research to discover that Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia was the one who won that race. It was John Akwari’s story that made the impression on me. What courage it must have taken for him to continue to run through injury and pain. His finish - and his attitude - spoke louder than most sermons. Don’t give up. Finish the race.

Everyone who finishes the race is a winner. The apostle Paul made that application to his Christian brothers and sisters when he said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Olympic Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze

Psychologists and researchers have discovered an interesting fact about Olympic medal winners. Gold medal winners are obviously thrilled. However, the reactions of the remaining medalists are a surprise.

Silver medal winners are sometimes ashamed and disappointed. Instead of being proud that they have accomplished the incredible feat of being better than everyone else in the world with one exception, they feel they came up short. It appears that because their goal was the gold medal, winning the silver is a let down.

On the other hand, bronze medal winners are often very excited, expressing through comments and facial expressions a sense of accomplishment. At the 2012 London Olympics, American Brendan Hansen, the winner of the bronze medal for the 100 meter men’s breaststroke finals, said, “It worked out, you know. It’s just awesome that I get to go on the podium tonight. Honestly, I’m really proud of myself… This is the shiniest bronze medal that you will ever see. Ever!”

All of the medal winners accomplished something remarkable; however, their level of satisfaction has to do with their comparison with others. The gold medal winners have reached their goal. They are the best in the field. Silver medal winners may or may not be happy with their achievement, depending on how they compared themselves to others or even the gold medal winner. The bronze medal winners have reason to be proud. They are part of a trio who came out on top.

Although gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the three top performers in any given sport represented in the Olympics, this is a modern development. The ancient Olympic games gave only one prize – an olive wreath – to the best performer.

As a child of God, I am confident there is no second or third place for me or for any of my Christian brothers and sisters. The crown of righteousness the apostle Paul described to Timothy is awarded to every true believer in Christ. We are all first place winners because Christ, our substitute, has won the victory for us.

In Heaven, there will be no disappointment of having placed second in life or surprise that we even made it to the podium. Any shame that we might have for not measuring up has been covered by the blood of Jesus. Any pride that we might have of our own accomplishments is put into proper perspective because all are sinners and need redemption. 

We will not be comparing ourselves to each other for we all receive the prize obtained by our Lord Jesus Christ. All of the energy we need to run the race He has provided through His Spirit, who lives and works within us. The victory He has won over sin and death has been shared with us.

I am looking to the day when I will come face to face with Him to personally thank Him. I will not be standing on the podium. He will. Like the twenty-four elders, I will lay my crown at His feet and worship Him. 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:14 NAS). Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).