Four seasons in one life

A man had four sons
He sent them out to see
To describe life and living
Yes to you and to me

He sent them to the pear tree
Each in a different season
Asked to describe it fully
As they saw it: yes honestly!

The first son went in winter
He was not impressed
"It was twisted, bent, ugly"
"No beauty" he confessed

The second son went in springtime
Found it covered in green buds
"It is full of promise: new life"
It is, he said "ready to be blessed"

The third son went in summer
It was laden with blossoms
"It smelled sweet, was graceful"
"A pleasure to behold": he told

The fourth son went in autumn/fall
The tree was full of ripened fruit
"Dripping with fulfilment: truly blessed!"
"A thing of beauty!" he confessed

Each son was correct: the father sighed
We cannot judge a tree or a person
By viewing only one season in his life
The essence of who they are lies within

Their pleasure, joy and love; life
Can only be measured at the end
When all the seasons are up
That's when we are able to decide...

If you give up in winter?
You miss the promise of spring...
You miss the beauty of summer
You miss the fulfilment of your fall

Don't let the pain of any season
Destroy the joy of the rest of your life
Never compare your life to someone else's
For how can you ever understand it?

Based on what you see...
What you see is an illusion
Based on your perception
It is not their reality...


Thank you to Kenville Moody
SDA site on facebook
For the inspiration...