Ripe Plums Rain Down

Today hundreds of ripe plums rained down from the branches of the plum tree at our friend Mathel's place as we shook the branches. 

I showed the girls how to do it--not pulling with terrible jerks that will break branches, but with sturdy, quick, fast jerks that will keep only ripe plums falling off their stems. 

Underneath the tree Mathel had spread a tarp which we moved about as we shook branches. We placed it in about four or five different spots all around the tree, taking turns shaking branches all around. 

It reminded me of the plums Jonathan's mother used to have on a small tree in their back yard. What a treat plums are! We got gallons today and plan to can most of them. 

I made the mistake of pulling a plum off of a branch to eat rather than choosing to pick up a ripe plum from the tarp or that had already fallen into the grass. That plum was so tart it nearly turned my mouth inside out!

I am reminded of how we must wait the proper timing for so many things in life. Just as farmers wait for just the right day to harvest grain or vegetables and ranchers wait until just the right season for calving or weaning or haying, we must patiently wait for the fruit to ripen, for good works to be rewarded, and for vengeance to be meted out by God upon unrepentant sinners.

We must wait, sometimes interminably, for God to answer prayer;

but in His time, according to His will,

He will. 

"In His time, in His time

He makes all things beautiful in His time. 

Lord please show me every day

As You're teaching me Your way,

That You do just what You say, 

In Your time!"