As I write this, I am eating a juicy, sweet, ripe, FUZZY peach. It’s my post-lunch treat. I have to tell you, this is a recent endeavor on my part. I wouldn’t consider myself a picky eater, ask my Mom. I mean, I appreciate a good chow down- I was always a “husky” kid! It’s just those peaches…there were 2 reasons why I didn’t dig in as a kid. #1- usually I was served canned peaches in that weird syrupy stuff…come on…seriously? #2- I couldn’t get past the…fuzz. Why the fuzz God? I understand aardvarks, they’re funny and create amusement, good work on that one. But, you put this weird fuzz on a such a succulent fruit! It wasn’t until a couple years ago that my wife offered me a fruit (no, this one was from a good tree!) and said, “It’s  SOOOO good, you’ll like it.” It was a fresh, ripe peach. She sliced a chunk off and I popped it in and hoped for the best. WOW. Incredible. This fruit is actually really good, as a kid, I just couldn’t get past the fuzzy exterior.

It made me start thinking about something that happened lately. A friend had the confidence and love to step forward and keep me accountable on a certain issue. At first it stung, my emotions and heart fuzzed a little bit and I wanted to jump up and explain myself. There was probably time to do that and I did, but first I caught myself and realized that there was sweetness here. Someone cared enough about me to call me out on something. They want me to improve and be the best I can be. Here’s where the sweetness came in. I wanted them to know I appreciate them and value them for having that relationship with me. I had to get past the fuzz and see that, proportionately, there is much more sweetness! It helped me to refocus and look at things clearly and more effectively use the gifts God has given me.

There are so many times in scripture where God redirected his followers, not because he wanted to scold them, but because He loved them so much to guide them to be the best creation they can be. Jesus even knew Peter would deny him three times, yet forgave him, redirected him and built His earthly church upon his leadership. Be thankful for the fuzz, and not throw the whole fruit because of it…there is usually a lot of sweetness and growth waiting beyond.