Lemons and Growing

A couple of years ago I wrote about a little lemon tree in my front yard. It was two-years old, and yet only about 20 inches tall. In spite of that, it produced seven lemons. I called it my little Charlie Brown lemon tree.

Two winters ago the tree got bit by the freeze we had. I really thought it was dead. I didn’t think it would survive. But through Spring and Summer of 2023 leaves began to appear. A handful of blooms sprouted, but following the advice of a friend, I pinched them off. And the tree began to grow.

Fast-forward to 2024. The tree is almost four feet tall. The limbs spread out as wide as it is tall. And it is filled with lemons. I know there are more than 60 on it. And they are huge. Some of the largest lemons I have ever seen. I have propped the tree up with tomato stakes and string so that the limbs don’t collapse on the weight of the lemons.

I’m so looking forward to a lemon icebox pie. We’ve already used a couple in low country boils. And my wife is squeezing lemon juice into her tea.

I’ve never lived anywhere that lemon trees would grow. I grew up on a small farm that had twenty plus apple trees, and two pear trees. And I’ve always been around vegetable gardens. My dad always had a garden, and he taught me all that I know.

Watching stuff grow fascinates me. Lemon trees. Tomato plants. Two-year old granddaughter. And followers of Jesus Christ. In the same way that my lemon tree has grown, God wants His children to grow in their faith. In Ephesians Paul talked about maturing in every way. We grow in our knowledge of Christ, as well as our ability to follow His teachings. I pray that you will grow in your faith and knowledge of Christ. And maybe enjoy a piece of lemon pie.