A farmer planted a young apple tree in his orchard. He watered it, cared for it, and protected it from storms. But after a few years, the tree still bore no fruit.

Frustrated, the farmer thought about cutting it down. “It’s taking up space,” he said. “What’s the point of keeping a tree that doesn’t produce?”

An older farmer overheard him and said, “Give it more time. Some trees take longer to bear fruit, but when they do, the harvest is worth the wait.”

So the farmer waited. Then one spring, something amazing happened – blossoms covered the tree. That autumn, it produced the most abundant apples of any tree in the entire orchard.

The farmer realized something: The tree had not been wasting time. It had been growing stronger, developing deep roots so that when the time was right, it could bear fruit in abundance.

Sometimes, we feel like that apple tree. We pray, serve, and wait, but nothing seems to be happening. We wonder if God has forgotten us or if we’ll ever bear fruit. But God works in His perfect timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Just because you don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Like the apple tree, He is strengthening your roots—preparing you for a season of fruitfulness.

Galatians 6:9  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

God is faithful. Even if you feel like your prayers aren’t being answered or your work isn’t making an impact, trust that He is preparing you for something greater.

John 15:5   (Jesus said) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”

Our job is not to force the fruit – we simply need to stay connected to Christ, the true vine. As we trust Him, serve Him, and grow in Him, He will bring the harvest in due time.

Are you in a season of waiting? Feeling discouraged because you don’t see results? Remember the apple tree. Just because you don’t see fruit yet doesn’t mean God isn’t working.

Stay faithful. Keep trusting. Your harvest is coming, and when it does, it will be more abundant than you ever imagined.