Friday, January 2, 2004

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
(1 Corinthians 9.23 NRSV)

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Danny E. Bush in his book, INVITATION TO THE FEAST, tells about a cousin and aunt of his who had a childhood dream come true. Both of these women were born in a rural area near Spartanburg County, South Carolina. As children it was a real treat at Thanksgiving and Christmas for them to receive an apple, an orange, or maybe some stick candy. Times were hard, but there was an abundance of family love and an appreciation for even the simplest of gifts.

On their South Carolina farm they had apple, peach, and fig trees. But these ladies had never seen an orange tree. Though they had enjoyed oranges maybe twice a year, but they had never actually seen oranges growing.

After many years on the farm and in cotton mills, this cousin and aunt retired. They had looked forward to going places they had never been and seeing things they had never seen. One of the things they wanted to do was to go to Florida to see oranges growing on trees. Finally, they got together with other family members and drove down to Florida. When they approached the first orange grove they stopped the car. The grove owner gave them permission to look at the oranges and to pick a few.

Those retired ladies acted like children in that Florida orange grove. They were at long last able to see in person the trees from which came the oranges they had delighted in as children in South Carolina. In that grove, they thanked God for oranges. They also thanked God for their health that, even in old age, enabled them to travel to see oranges growing on trees.

Could you find delight in such a simple pleasure?

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Lord Jesus, help me to find joy in your simple blessings. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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