Parable of the Acorn

I was sitting by the creek the other day, watching the water roll by, just relaxing and enjoying the breeze upon my face and the aroma of the creek’s breath on the grass beneath me. Looking down I noticed an acorn. Immediately I thought of the parable of the acorn which I love so well. The metaphor for life it contains continues to amaze and inspire me.

It’s aspirations to be a mighty oak locked within it, the acorn plummets, severed from its parent tree, dropped to the cold hard earth. There it enters a dangerous world where it can be trampled upon, carried off to a squirrel’s nest, or rot in place. If it’s one of the lucky ones, dirt will eventually be kicked over it. Perhaps with decaying leaves upon it, it will one day be buried enough to begin those swelling motions that bring about growth. Even then, it will be decades before the tiny acorn spreads its lofty limbs skyward.

As I thought of the acorn’s journey, I had the irresistible urge to bury it in the earth. With my fingers, I dug a hole in the damp soil, inserted the acorn and covered it with dirt. Perhaps the acorn was frightened by my actions. Being placed in a dark, cold place, unable to see the sun or its parent tree above it, it may have cursed me for my actions. But I knew that I had set it upon its journey. What’s more, I may have taken years off the trip with my simple action of planting it in the earth. One day when it spreads its limbs skyward, it will thank the heavens for the woman who came along and buried its tiny body in the earth.

In my life there have been many individuals who came along and planted, watered, and nourished me just when I needed them. Some have taken years off my journey with their simple actions. Others have literally saved me from squirrels’ nests and rot. And I thank my Father in Heaven – my parent tree – for sending those people my way. What’s more, I am convinced that angels from the unseen world have attended me, comforted me, and given me the strength to survive the dark earth, and the growing pains of my sapling years.

I hope in some small way I've been able to pay these favors forward to others who needed encouragement along their way. That knowledge would be one of my greatest joys.

Comments

[BK]

Your post reminds me of a story I read about a little boy and starfish. An old man was strolling along the beach when he saw a little boy picking up a starfish, throwing it back to the sea and then proceeding to pick up another to throw it back to the sea ...

A lot of times, what may seem like a small act does make a difference. I believe you definitely made a difference to the acorn.