FOURTH FRUIT | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: FOURTH FRUIT | Previous Challenge Entry
By esther robinson
08/27/08
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Invisible tears rolled down as he walked up the dais. Each drop had several separate sections and each had selections of short and sweet happenings. Yet all the tears collectively cried, “I cannot repay this debt. Thank You for being patient with me.” His heart swelled with gratitude while a cherubic smile somersaulted on his face even as he escorted the guest speaker for the twentieth convocation.

He, the founder of a well-known University sent out into the world more than three thousand graduates both women and men garbed with virtues that were god-given as found in Deborah, Esther, Joseph and Daniel of the Old Testament besides being equipped with the worldly acumen in the engineering, management and various other fields.

His memory retracted the lanes of yester years in fractions. When the time for the Founder’s speech came, he walked like a lion and held the mike. “My dear children! Wait for God’s appointed time. For God’s thoughts are not ours, nor are our ways His ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God’s ways and thoughts higher than ours. His thoughts give us a hope and a future. Imbibe the quality of long suffering for it brings forth fruits that are long lasting. Tough times are temporary but people with patience come out triumphant. I expound these words from my own experience. Have patience.

My mother vomited blood. My father strained every nerve to make both ends meet. Their only son, that’s me was a dull head - a failure in studies. Now I am proud to say this, but it was not so when my parents happened to meet friends and acquaintances along with me during family gatherings. I wore the garment of defeat and shame. I have had many sleepless nights on account of this. My application to an engineering college was rejected. Financial stringency, lack of affluence or recommendations are a few reasons to be mentioned. The desire of my parents and that of mine to become an engineer which once kept crackling like bon fire, got extinguished and lay like a mound of mush. With no hope of seeing any smoke where can the question of a flame come? Then I regretted for having opted mathematics subject. Teachers lovingly offered me a big zero that resembled an egg. Shame on me! I flunk twice in graduation. The thought of making my parents happy nagged me but no job in hand. I thought perhaps God forgot to place a number that would pronounce success in my life. Everything I put my hands upon became an ugly zero. I must do something about this sorry mess I told myself. No use of pulling on like this. I could clearly visualize my footsteps on those rails. Even now it makes me shudder. The determination in my heart to play the role of God – that is take away my life, took deep roots when all the directions I turned to threatened me with the word ‘FAILURE’ blazing in neon lights. I am stating these bitter truths and facts of my life just to encourage you. Life in this world may not seem rosy even as you step out of this University but I want you to remember that God has a purpose concerning you. Therefore, have patience – the fourth fruit, for His dream about you to come true. At His appointed hour, God intervened in my life. I met God face to face. Many years later God gave me the vision to establish a University and also guided me. Now dear students, you are hand-picked by God – a part of His wonderful vision. Have patience while you face the world head on even while you wait for God’s appointed hour in your life. God always gives His best to His children. Have patience to receive those parcels packed with surprises that are kept in store for you. Whenever you sigh remember God is always nigh. Therefore, I also wish God’s best for you.”

The huge gathering had to patiently wait till the sound of applause subsided. The message about the fourth fruit ‘Patience’ got imprinted with indelible ink in the minds of the gathered that it continues to echoes in the hearts of many and enables them to bear much fruits even after the Founder of that University is no more.

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