Tag: evidence

Fresh Oranges

I was reminded again this week of how much I enjoy the fresh oranges from the tree in our back yard. My wife and I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona in the 1960’s. There were miles and miles of orange groves in Scottsdale in those days. Now most of them have been replaced by suburban home developments. The home my wife grew up in was built on a half-acre lot where the home builder removed only a small number of citrus trees to make room for their new house.
 
There were orange groves next to my elementary school and on the perimeter of our Little League baseball field. There were orange groves on both sides of Lafayette Boulevard which paralleled one of the large irrigation canals that threaded its way through Scottsdale. I vividly remember the fragrant aroma from the blossoms of the Orange, Grapefruit and Tangerine trees in the springtime in Scottsdale.
 
The growth of the citrus went pretty much unnoticed during the hot summer months. The fruit on the trees continued to grow with the help of the abundant irrigation water from both the local canals and water pumped from the underground aquafer.   
 
The same is true for the Naval Orange tree in our back yard. I love the smell in the spring from the tiny blossoms as an army of bees spreads pollen from flower to flower.  From that small beginning the oranges grew in our warm California sunshine. In October and November the oranges began to change color. By the end of December our tree was filled with over 100 brightly colored oranges.
 
In early January, I walked out to the backyard and picked my first orange. It is one of my favorite moments of the year. I was not disappointed. It was juicy and delicious. And there were a lot more where that one came from. A beautiful healthy orange tree in our backyard.
 
There is a verse in the Bible that says my orange tree is visible proof of a loving God. It says, “God provided evidence of His existence and His kindness by giving us rain and crops in their season. He provides us with plenty of food and fills our hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17).
 
Let me encourage you to pause and smell the orange blossoms in the spring. And, enjoy the wonderful taste of fresh oranges in the winter. I hope you will give thanks to God for the tasty fruit He provides for you to enjoy!

You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book “Let Me Encourage You” by Mark Hopper. You can purchase one book for $20 or two books for only $30 (plus $5 postage). Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.