The Persimmon Pucker

Have you ever been ‘had’ by a persimmon or a person with a persimmon? Have you ever been tricked into trying this passion fruit out of season? If you have, you will never forget that dry, drawled, puckered feeling! Or the vow that followed, “Never, (and I mean never) will I ever be ‘had’ again.”

Saturday I was mowing, last time of the year (I hope), and God spoke to me about the persimmon tree in my yard. Every year someone inevitably asks, “What kind of tree is that? Or a child might ask, ‘Is that a pumpkin tree’?”

Unfortunately, my husband was ‘my’ persimmon perpetrator. I didn’t want to have anything to do with that stuff ever again. As a matter of fact, I kept confusing the fruit with pomegranates. Until one day, my neighbor asked if she could pick some and I replied, “Sure, take all you want. And, by the way, what are they again?” She said thank you with a warm loaf of persimmon bread. It was wonderful and unforgettable!

Now back to God speaking to me… While mowing, my thoughts went to how we, as Christians, are like persimmons. People try us out, like a bite sized sampler of Jesus. If it is a bad experience, then they may never again “taste to see that the Lord is good”. Lord, have I left a bad taste in someone’s mouth? Would you be like a fresh peppermint that cleanses that experience from their taste buds?

Oh but, when we are ripe for the pickin’ watch out because we are sweet and sticky. Some have already fallen on the ground so watch your step. If you step in it, then we, Jesus and I, are stuck on you like your favorite candy.