This past February my father died.  My wife and I rearranged our lives so we could live with my mother and take care of the family farm.  Apple harvest began this past week and many visitors to the orchard remarked how wonderful the apples looked on the trees.  I was complimented and given credit for the big beautiful apples.

 

Reflecting on the history of our farm I remembered when we planted the first apple trees in 1962.  I was 10 years old and had no idea what influence this farm would have on me and my family.  My father cared for the orchard when he was not at work and gave his children instructions and commands that were to be carried out when he was gone.  Mother was the overseer while father was away.

 

We did not understand why we had to complete these tasks, we just knew they were required in order to please our father.  We all grew up and moved away leaving father and mother alone to care for the farm with hired help. 

 

In 1994 I took an active role in the family business out of love for my parents and love for the orchard.  I worked beside my father and he taught me how to care for the trees and how to produce good fruit. The duties I carried out as a child out of obligation I now perform with zeal, love, happiness, and understanding.

 

When a visitor sees the beauty of our orchard they see more than what was done under my authority.  They see the results of my father’s plans, his hard work, his teaching and his desires carried on through his children and grandchildren. 

 

Our spiritual lives are very similar.  As children of God we are given commands, statutes and regulations that we are expected to carry out.  We carry out some or all of these instructions not fully comprehending why we must to do so, but learning that doing so pleases God, our heavenly father.  1 John 2:3-6  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

 

As we mature, we take on the nature of God; we become like him.  1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

When others see our works they will see the works of our father.  1 John 3:10  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 

 

As we grow older will we leave and return occasionally to visit out of duty and fond memories, or will stay and take on the family business, the kingdom of God.  Revelations 2:26-27  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron…