fruit: n. the effect or consequence of an action or operation; product, result

espalier: n. a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)

I eyeball my espalier apple tree daily. That’s because I planted it so I could see it from the window where I have my little craft table. I spend a lot of time there, mainly working on Christmas ornaments.

By every visual assessment I could make throughout this season, I had grossly mishandled the pruning process and cut off all its fruiting spurs. Very few blossoms appeared in the spring and, without blossoms, no fruit.

Surprisingly, as the season progressed, I did spy a few scattered apples developing, but no more than three or four. This season was destined to be non-existent for fruit production. I went into a state of gardener’s sadness and mourning. If you’re not a gardener, you won’t understand, but it is real.

Since its creation as a 6-branch, espalier tree, I have struggled with how to properly prune it. You-Tube, Google search, requests from local gardeners–none of them have explained what I should do or when in order to maintain its shape and still produce fruit.

Last year’s crop was exceptional, one my mother would have called a “bumper” crop, Alas, I failed in its care this year. What did I do right last year? What did I do wrong this year?—all unknowns.

My dad fed his entire family and more from the fruits and vegetables he grew. I, on the other hand, will either starve or go on food stamps, given that kind of responsibility. Apparently, I am a farmer’s daughter, but no farmer.

Recently, I spotted an apple or two on the ground. With a combination of surprise and glee, I rushed out to “harvest” them, placing them in the fridge before the local resident squirrels found them. Every time another dropped, I did the same thing.

Originally, I was hoping there would be enough to make an apple crisp. My taste buds have been craving that simple dessert.

Yesterday, when I tossed three more in the fridge drawer, it occurred to me I had more than enough for a dessert. In fact, I had enough to dehydrate.

And so, I dumped them out, rinsed them off, and set the food dryer to heat up. It turned out I had enough for a full load and an apple crisp!

What a surprise! I honestly thought I had only three or four apples. What I did not know–others were hidden. While not a large crop, I will be snacking on the dried fruit for quite a while.

I think there is a lesson in this.

So many times, as a person of faith, I struggle with the feeling that my life makes not a single bit of difference in the world or in God’s Kingdom. As an elder person, this sense is amplified with the reality that my physical time left is at a premium. I can only speak for myself, but my life’s desire has always been to bear eternal, spiritual fruit instead of being barren.

But here is the point: I think spiritual fruit is like the apples. They were hidden, invisible until they were ripe and fell out of the tree—when it was time.

Spiritual fruit cannot be seen with the naked eye, but that doesn’t change the fact of its existence. And when it is time, everyone can see it.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

                        Galatians 5: 22, 23 NIV