THE SAGA OF THE GRAPEFRUIT

I walked into the orchard a year or two ago. I’d gone to pick some grapefruit. A foolish quest I know. For there was not a grapefruit tree anywhere around. The only things that I could spot were apples on the ground. But they weren’t on the menu. It’s grapefruit I desired. Why weren’t they in the orchard, for that’s what I required? I felt a little foolish. The orchard was all mine I’d bought a great big pack of seed and planted them on time. I’d planned a great big harvest of succulent grapefruit. But all I got was apples that looked so small and cute. I couldn’t understand it. Where had it all gone wrong? I went back to the market place to sing this lengthy song. ”If you’d have wanted grapefruit, why did you come and buy, A number of the apple trees?” That’s when I heaved a sigh. I didn’t understand it. The trees all looked the same. The leaves were somewhat different with nobody to blame. It surely makes no difference, is what I told the man. “If you can’t tell the difference, be certain that I can. You cannot grow big grapefruit upon an apple tree. To make this gross assumption is pure stupidity. You only get what’s planted. It always works that way. An apple tree bears apples no matter what folk say.” I felt a little silly. I knew that it was true. That’s when I paused to scratch my head and wondered what to do. There had to be an answer. The guests would soon arrive. And if there were no grapefruit, they’d all skin me alive. That’s when the doorbell sounded. What was there I could do? I thought of feigning illness but that would be untrue. That’s when I had a brainwave. I brought the apples in. I painted them all yellow and cut away the skin. They didn’t look like grapefruit. But who would ever know? If I called them a brand new strain; that was the way to go! Then I remembered Jesus. I couldn’t lie to Him. He knew me from the inside out. His mind was never dim. I’d have to tell the story. The truth would have to out. And anyway, He loved me. Of that there was no doubt. So as the guests all entered, I told them what I’d done. There was a shout of laughter and they enjoyed the fun The dinner was successful and to this very day We talk about the grapefruit with apples on display. Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 14 July 2011

THE RELUCTANT BRIDE

The hardest thing to understand is that the Lord loves me. In spite of all that I have done and all that still may be, He tells me that He loves me. How does He get that right? A creature from this darkened world devoid of His great light? What is there that attracts Him. I really wish I knew. I think that I would bottle it as “supernatural brew”. I’ve spent my days in idleness or always on the run. My nights in such licentiousness, and yet He calls me son! Perhaps the Lord is crazy. I know I can’t love me. But somewhere in this carcass, there’s something He can see. Don’t tell Him of my problem. He just might turn away. That’s much more than I can face as day succeeds to day. I may not understand it. I might not give Him thanks. But please don’t let Him leave me to get on with my pranks. The fact is that I love Him. Please do not ask me why. I’d climb the highest mountain. I think I’d even die If I thought He would leave me. His love holds me in chains. Please do not come and take them off. I’d put them on again. I’ve not been this excited since I was in my teens. It was in those far off days I learned what true love means. No matter what I tried to do I couldn’t get away. I’d follow her no matter where she travelled to that day. I’d walk a dozen miles or more to see her lovely smile. And after that I’d go back home. No person could beguile And change my inside attitude the way that woman could. This is my sort of “bench mark” for doing what I should. But what is so amazing; He does all this for me. He’s like a hound of heaven and will not let me be. And yet I’m not complaining. He woos me night and day. I didn’t think it possible for Him to love this way. It seemed so out of character. There’s others He could woo, And then He looks into my eyes and says, “I’ve come for you”! I try to comprehend it but it nowhere in my head. Is their some great equation that says,”Let us be wed!” I thought I’d be the altar boy. I couldn’t be the bride. He isn’t for the likes of you is what my mind implied. So now my precious lover has called me as His bride. I’m walking down the bridal path and bubbling inside. There are so many people much better off than me. But Jesus has decided. Oh Lord let this thing be! Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 13 July 2011