3 Lessons I Learned By Observing Fruit

Entry contributed by Audrey Hammitt, participant in the Sweeter Support Group

Images & copyediting by Esther Nicole Yoder

As I read and reflected on Esther's poem "Sweeter," I considered how fruit also grows in sweetness. I immediately pictured peaches specifically because the poem's artwork reminded me of the colors one would find on peach skin (see artwork below).

As I reflected, I was struck by three spiritual and relational truths contained within the imagery of fruit.

1. As a fruit ripens, it becomes sweeter and softer.

   
   

   The more tender the fruit, the more easily it bruises. Yet, this delicacy is worth the risk because the fruit is juicier, sweeter, and more enjoyable. 

   
   

   As we allow ourselves to have a soft heart toward God and others, we become more sensitive to His Spirit.

   
   

   While we might experience more sorrow and pain due to this compassion, such a heart more closely resembles God’s own (as opposed to a hardened heart, unmoved by the suffering in the world).

   
   

   Fortunately, unlike many fruits which have a peak ripeness and start to rot thereafter, we need not fear becoming “overripe” as we continue into sweeter depths with Jesus.

   
   

   

2. In the process of ripening, enzymes break down the fruit’s complex starches into simpler sugars. Our taste buds can’t perceive the starches as sweetness, though. In fact, fruit won’t taste sweet to us until the starches have been broken down (i.e. consider the differences between eating a stiff, green banana and a very ripe one). (See articles hyperlinked below.)

   
   

   Similarly, a  situation might not seem sweet to us while we are experiencing it. However, in the hands of God, these same “unripe” experiences can become sweet to us with time and brokenness. 

   
   

3. Finally, fruit ripens more quickly when placed in proximity to ones already ripe. In a similar manner, we affect one another.

   
   

   When we grieve, we can cause others to soften as we live in close proximity to them. Our communities might need to hear our pain to become more attuned to their own and increase in empathy.

   
   

   Our bruised, tender, yet sweeter souls can invite others to trust the Father to reveal Himself to them as they ripen in their own walk with Him.

So, the next time you pick up a piece of fruit, consider its ripeness and reflect on your own heart. While it may take patience, sensitivity, and community, our experience of ripening will result in even sweeter fruit than we can imagine.

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*Note from the contributor: This article and this Reddit thread were referenced in conceptualizing and drafting this blog post.