Kumquats in heaven?

Many years ago, we generously shared the lemons growing from the tree on the church grounds with the caretaker of the school behind.  I was gently informed later by one of our church ladies that we didn’t have a lemon tree.  It was actually grapefruit!  Bite into one and you will soon know the difference.  In my defence, they looked like lemons.  The lesson perhaps is there is a taste test with fruit.

In more recent times I learned of the kumquat.  A cute little citrus that looks something like a small, elongated orange.  Apparently not so cute when you bite into them!  With kumquats the juicy flesh on the inside is bitter while the skin and rind are sweet.  They are eaten whole, and when you bite down the juice squeezes into your mouth.  Yuk!  So bitter!  But here’s the trick.  Keep chewing.  The divine sweetness of the skin and rind blend with the bitterness to create an exquisite experience.

My favourite ancient book tells me we can learn a lot about a person by the fruit they bear.  Not unlike the mischievous grapefruit, we can learn about the tree or the vine they come from – the source of their flavour and goodness.  In the spiritual sense, the fruit identifies the Spirit that grows, shapes and nurtures it.

Strangely, it’s not easy to find the kumquat in that book.  But look closely.  Possibly the most delicious fruit of a well lived life is love.  Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.  Love never fails.

It’s easy to love lovely people.  But what about the kumquat people?  The ones who seem bitter and distasteful.  Perhaps persevere?  There might be a pleasant surprise.