Do You Bruise Easily Like an Apple?

My Dad and I picked apples the other day. A tradition we enjoy and provides blessings throughout the weeks to follow. When I returned home, rather than placing the apples in the basket one at a time, in a hurried state, I opened the bag and placed the basket on top.

I then carefully lifted the bag and basket at the same time and flipped. In my mind, I saw then nearly filling the basket and then If pull the bag out. Have you already predicted this plan didn't quite go as planned?

The majority of apples followed the rules and stayed within the perimeter of their safety zone yet a handful decided to jump from the basket and tolled from the counter to the floor and then bounced...and bounced...and rolled until the only thing left shaking...was my head.

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We are like these apples, well maybe it's just me but I don't think I'm alone in this. I know some people have "tougher skin" than others yet I know some "tuffys" and guess what, I think they are more sensitive than the ones we identify with as needing TLC when handling conflict, situations, and life. What do you think?

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am 
fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together 
in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand--
    when I awake, I am still with you."
Psalm 139:`13-18

God didn't create us to feel like the apples falling from my basket. You and I are "wonderfully made", "precious" and "delights in those who fear Him." This is amazing if you really think about it and let it sink in. Regardless of one's beliefs or faith, God loves each and every one of us.

He sees us as the beautiful red apple growing on the tree, waiting to be picked. Yet, because of sin, some apples fall of the tree and others jump from the basket to roll and bounce along the floor. Which apple are you? Of course, while we all are sinners, not everyone has the same amount of bruises.

This is what makes us unique and the person we are. It's up to us to decide what to do with our bruises, do we put make up on over them, wear a mask so those around us don't know? 

Do we share with only those close to us? 

Do we attempt to live life on our own with no support from family and friends? 

Do we blame God and run in the other direction? 
(I chose this option for a little over a decade after the kidnapping of my sister)

Do we call out to God for help, for strength, and His grace and mercy to survive?

Just like the apples, we can NEVER remove the bruises and brokenness BUT we can become something more beautiful and useful when we nurse our wounds, seek His wisdom, invite God into our life, and recognize the bruises are merely a new aspect of who we are and we have a choice.

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:13

We can either lay on the floor or under the apple tree rotting away and becoming part of the life cycle OR we can brush off the dirt, address the bruised spots, and make some delicious apple crisp, apple pie, or applesauce to share with others. 

Rather than be ashamed, admit we have a bruise and then share how God sweetened the apple of His eye, YOU, to be a new creation once again. Your story just became more personal. Your bruises are similar to someone else's and he/she might need to know, God can heal them too. 

Will you share your apple crisp and make a 
positive difference in the life of someone else?