Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Four Seasons Of Promise

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son went in the fall. When they had all gone and returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said the tree was ugly, bent and twisted.

The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful. It was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each only seen one season in the tree's life. He told them you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. That the essence of who they are, and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from life, can only be measured at the end when all the seasons have passed. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come in time.

Aspire to inspire before you expire. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And leave the rest to God. Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failure keeps you humble, success keeps you growing, but only God keeps you going.

Thank you CLAUDIA, who sent this lesson, for being a very important part of the seasons of my life.

3 comments:

  1. This is a very inspirational story :-)) Sometimes wise thoughts are just as simple to explain as this, and even if it's something we really already know, still it's someway helpful to think about it once more. Thanks to you Cyn for sharing it, it came in the truly perfect moment I needed it. I have to retire my awful thought of two days ago when I was telling myself that I never hear God's answers to my questions. This is it. Thank you for being my four season sister :-)
    Rosie

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  2. God knew what He was doing when he introduces us! You are a woman whom I love and admire. May not see you as much as I'd like but always carry you in my prayers and in my heart! keep shining bright sister! I am honored that you posted it! xo

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  3. Rosie I cannpt believe it has taken me 2 1/2 months to see that this affected you so positively. Well, you know what I have been busy with. Laugh. It is very true that we are all awaiting our proper development and in the right season God will not be wrong. Love you.

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LOVE to hear your feedback and/or questions! Gd bless your day!!!