The apple tree.

There's a little story about an apple tree that you might have heard before... this guy and his wife live in this amazing place. It's a garden, but it's so big that it doesn't have barriers. They have everything they could ever ask for. More than that, actually. They live off the land -- the fruits, vegetables, and animals. Everything is wonderful. They are happy.

Except.

There's an apple tree in the garden where they live and it's beautiful. It bares thick, beautiful fruit. They've heard that these apples have amazing powers, but the only rule they have where they live is that they can't eat from this tree. They're not quite sure what will happen, as a consequence, if they eat from it. But they want it. They know that they have everything they could ever ask for. But really... it's not enough.

They're curious.
They question.
They allow themselves to be persuaded.
They get gutsy.
They eat an apple.

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I wonder sometimes if we don't have our own apple trees in life. Things that create curiosity in our lives, and that -- without discernment, clear thinking, and better judgment -- we find ourselves making decisions that are un-take-back-able. Things that seem good. Things that seem nice. Things that tempt us. Things that are flashy and shiny and pretty. Things that put our lives in danger. Things that lead us to lying. Things that put our relationships in jeopardy. Things that convince us that we need it.

Our apples can be things.
Our apples can be people.

There are times when we're so focused on the apple tree, we can't see the other amazing things that we already have in our lives. We lose appreciation for the things that are present. We distract ourselves from being reminded of what we have, and focus on what we don't. We find ourselves thinking about how wonderful the apple would taste. How much happier we'd be if we could just have it. We lose sight of what we're putting at risk by reaching up in the tree.

If you have an apple tree in your life... something that seems to good to be true... something that seems so perfect... if you have that apple tree, I encourage you to build a fence around it. Build a fence so your temptation doesn't get the better of you. Nurture other areas of your garden to distract yourself. Put focus on the things in your life which you already have and are healthy and good.

There will always be an apple tree.
It's up to us not to reach for it.
It's up to us to remind ourselves that the grass isn't always greener.
It's up to us to find happiness where we are.