Know Your Flock.

Next week will be officially the beginning of our Spring season. My fig tree which has been bare for many months now has small leaves and fruit buds growing. From my house you can not see this but when you get very close you can see the growth that is happening.

Being distant from your trees/flock/friends can lead to misdiagnosis of the situation, and you may miss the progress that could be occurring. It is beneficial to know what is in your yard, your flock, your church family - get to know its patterns, seasons, habits, strengths, low times...etc

When my family first bought this property I thought the fig tree was a pest and I entertained the thought of having it removed, and replacing it with a fruit tree more familiar. I thought that the fig tree was taking up valuable space, in our yard. Since then I have a greater appreciation for the fig tree, I still don't eat the flesh, but I do eat the jam and give the fruit to many friends. The tree's value is there and as the years go on, my value for the tree increases, the more time I spend with it I see the benefits it provides. The more I understand the tree I am able to work it out and maximise it's growth and thus increase the fulfillment for myself.

Things when you first notice them in your area, if not familiar to you we can under valuate it's worth and potential....or maybe it is not in a good condition when it first turns up. But if we are willing to spend a few seasons with the tree, understand it, prune it, fertilise it, and watch what happens. Know what or who you are dealing with, take the time to truly gain insight on how best they work, and go with the grain to make that tree as fruitful as possible and a valuable tree in your yard.

I enjoy my fig tree now, there is no way that I would remove it now. I feel I know it very well, I know what phase will be next because I have spent many seasons with it, I understand how it operates, and I prune and give attention to it as it needs. It is important to know how my trees operate and more important is how my friends and co-workers operate and blossom.

Proverbs 27 v 23: Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.

Growing with you,

Akita.
22-8-07

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John 10 v 3

...He calls his own sheep by name.....

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Akita Olsen
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

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