This post is not about real estate. It's about attitude!
If I asked you if you know people who are always negative, someone would probably come to mind immediately. And if I asked you if you knew someone who always made you feel good about yourself, whenever you're around them, someone would probably come to mind (at least I hope so on this one).
Have you ever thought about what happens when you squeeze the juice from a piece of fruit? Depending on the fruit, you may squeeze out seeds; some large and some small, or you may squeeze out a very sour juice that requires a large dose of sugar to make it palatable. But when you squeeze the juice from a good fruit, you get a delicious, nutritious liquid that makes your mouth water, just thinking about it.
Now let's think about fruit from a different perspective.
- If you pick a fruit too soon, it has a bitter taste. That doesn't mean it's a bad fruit. It's just not fully matured. It needs to stay connected to the vine or tree for a while longer before it's edible.
- Or perhaps what appears on the surface to be a good fruit, has actually become infested with worms or insects. It's unfortunate, but the proper care was not taken to protect it during growth.
Now how about these. Think of how a good harvest of grapes can be used to make the best wines. Or how olives are used to create olive oil. What is the common denominator in retrieving the juice from any fruit? They have to
be squeezed, stomped or crushed. (Sound like life?) I once heard it said...."The true nature of a person is revealed under pressure".
I'm sorry to say, I'm not always full of only the good stuff. I certainly have my sour days. But I'm a person, not a fruit. I can always get reconnected to the "vine". ( John 15:5 NIV "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.")
And then there's the old adage "One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch". Most of us have seen what happens when bad fruit and good fruit are placed in the same basket. The bad fruit will slowly spoil the entire basket.
So what kind of fruit do you want to be? It's never too late to change! You can CHOOSE your attitude each day. Nobody can ruin your day without your permission.
I gave it a "5" sis......... Clinging to the Vine who is our Messiah is so important -- as you stated in your post....Having His ways and His kingdom first is the best thing we can do......
ONLY THEN will our fruit come to maturity and be tasty and good for others.......
Otherwise we are just self-deceived.......and anyone who tastes what we have is bound to wrinkle their nose....
A lifestyle that honors God is MORE important than LOOKING like you are honoring Him....eventually people find out over time....and it catches up to you.....
Can you say..."God don't like UGLY?"
=-D
Bryant- Thanks for stopping by. You're just peachy! I looked for a picture of a peach to put your face on but no luck =(
Alex- God don't like ugly? LOL
Lisa - this is wonderful - I hope I am a good fruit :)
Thesa- You've always been a good fruit to me =)
Gary- Thanks! Sometimes, I have to remind myself ;)
It's easy for me to write about being positive and people to respond that it's easy when under pressure etc. Bottom line...I'm human and feel emotions and yeah, I struggle sometimes with the neggies. It can be a learning lesson as well although it is not an easy task when hurt. I sure can detach quickly though and just write. :)
Sally- I haven't had it happen to me here yet, but on another site, I came pretty close to getting caught up in some drama. And I hate drama! But I made the decision to stand for what's right, even if someone else considered it to be drama, in that particular situation. I had to address something that was just plain wrong! If I feel strongly about something, I'm going to exercise my freedom of speech. But those moments are few and far between for me. I have to be pushed pretty far, before I'll choose that position. But I'm glad I did it. Afterward, I had to distance myself for a couple of days, to get some clarity again. I vented and now I'm over it =)
Lisa...
I purchased a pair of rose tinted glasses to wear in the rain.
There are just times when it's best to just ignore really bad fruit and keep in mind some people have personal problems when it comes to fruit :)
TLW...ROAR!
OK let me just say right up front. I am here to learn (good fruit) and I am here to share the little I know with others (good fruit) and I am here to make aquaintance with good folks who know what they are talking about or who can give me a lift or who need a lift that I can help with. (all good fruit).
What I am not here to do is be put down or talked about. (bad jokers are not allowed in my space). So if you see something about me you don't like, its an option but please keep it to yourself. I only welcome the good fruit into my life - both here on RAIN and outside in the Rain.
TLW- I need rose tinted glasses for my life. Nasty people really bum me out.
Rosemary- Good for you!
I guess that question can also be answered by how and if you produce good fruit.
Mat 7:17 A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit.