An Apple A Day...



One of my first projects when
mom and I learned to toll paint!





Keeps the doctor away!

We've all heard these familiar words of wisdom...








Here in our home
We love apples...
As well as applesauce, apple pie,
 apple butter, apple jelly,
 and apple crisp!

But, I must say,
that as much as my family loves apples
(and we certainly do!)
There are those here who love them
even more than we do...
Our hens!

Whenever I have peelings from apples
And throw them in their pen
They go crazy and gobble them up!

Fortunately, we have an almost
never ending supply of apples
for our ladies...
For right down our dirt road
Is a little spot known as "Apple Island"

I'm sure that you can guess where
the name came from...
There are many very old
crab apple trees located on this parcel of land.

We discovered them quite a few years ago
And noticed that many end up on the ground.
Most really aren't fit for human consumption
But are just fine for the hens!

So, every fall,
We head down to "Apple Island"
With our bushel baskets
And gather as many as we can
To store as a treat for the ladies.

Each day, when Samuel feeds the hens
in the morning,
He will bring in a bowlful of apples
And I cut them up and add
just a cup of oats...

The old saying must be true...
For our ladies are really healthy!

Now, it is my understanding,
That the "apple a day" saying
Originally came from an old Welsh folk proverb...

"Eat an apple on going to bed,

 And you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread."

Of course, we all strive to eat healthy

To avoid unneccessary trips to the doctor...

But I wonder if there are times

when perhaps we think that we are

"healthier" than most...

And don't realize our great need for a physician...

My family was studying in Luke 7 last week

And we can upon the familar parable of the two debtors...

And the story of the immoral woman

who visited Simon the Pharisee's home.

You see, this woman understood,

That she was in desperate need

of the "Great Physician"...

While Simon apparently felt

That he had eaten enough "apples"...

Simon says to himself..."she is a sinner..."

But what he fails to realize is that

"he was a sinner"...for we all are.

Through this parable,

Jesus makes it clear that all of us

are in debt to God

And are unable to pay

Because we are spiritually bankrupt.

The woman knew she was guilty of sinning against God

and was in desperate need of a Saviour...

Great forgiveness provides the opportunity for great love...

Because this woman realized that her sins were great

and she was so aware of her guilt...

Her love for the One who forgave her

just overflowed.

Unfortunately, Simon had no conviction of sin...

In his mind, he wasn't spiritually sick,

So he had no need for a doctor.

It is my prayer,

That I may never come to believe

That there is any "apple"

That could keep me from needing

The Great Physician.

"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,
They that are whole have no need of the physician,
but they that are sick:
I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance."
Mark 2:17