In these pages we've gathered several shorter items—articles of less than a page in length and excerpts from longer manuscripts that offer useful, inspiring insights. We hope you enjoy this kind of short-form nourishment in each issue.
THE CHERRY TREES here in Traverse City, Michigan, are beautiful. Lovely blossoms arrive in spring, delicious fruit appears in the summer, and rest and rejuvenation follow every fall and winter. These trees have a natural cycle of renewal. Cherry trees have become a metaphor for my own life, teaching me to appreciate my own natural beauty and seasonal changes. They have also taught me to expect fruition.
My concept of being fruitful is that my endeavors must have a productive and useful purpose—a fertile and prolific sense of joy, inspiration, and creativity—and that I must employ all of my God-given talents. I can expect these talents to increase and develop, following the Biblical command, "Be fruitful, and multiply" (Gen. 1:22).
