Be the purple acorn
A lovely fall day tempted me to take a short walk this afternoon. I savored the warm sunshine and pristine blue sky as I strolled among towering oak trees. A soft fall breeze rustled leaves, not yet touched by fall colors, and my feet crunched through a layer of green and brown acorns covering the ground. I spied a purple acorn, so unique among the more common variety. As I reached for this unexpected treat, a thought raced through my mind, “Be the purple acorn.”
What? How does one be the purple acorn?
We’ve had a bumper crop of acorns this year, they pepper our metal roof with a steady rat-a-tat tat and form a carpet of crunch on the ground. Of course, our deer and squirrels delight in this blessing of nature. Squirrels collect and bury acorns in the ground, my flower pots, and beneath the mulch where summer flowers remain dry and listless. The fluffy tailed rodents wander on the porch searching for other depositories to store food for later winter consumption.
Deer forage regularly in our yard and I’m happy they currently devour acorns instead of my flowers.
In my many decades on the farm I’ve never seen a purple acorn, only green, tan, and various shades of brown (as they progress through their life cycle). But the one I discovered today was unique in its deep purple shade, quite lovely, in fact. A little investigation provided some information:
Purple acorns aren’t standard in oak trees (that’s probably why I haven’t seen one before) but may occur temporarily in their life cycle as a natural sunscreen during active growth stages. Since this summer gifted us with overwhelming heat and sunshine, I’m not surprised acorns needed sunscreen.
So why the voice in my head? “Be a purple acorn.”
It’s likely because I always seek lessons from nature.
- Purple acorns are unique.
- The purple acorn I chose is a lovely specimen.
- During their season of life, purple acorns stand out as being different.
How can we be a purple acorn?
Recognize that we are a unique creation of God.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13- 14)
We are a chosen people, each unique and special to God.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
As believers, we stand out for being different, we are adopted in His love.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and his will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Do you find lessons in nature, too? If so, please share one.
We are fearfully, wonderfully, and uniquely made!
Good post!
Thank you, Tim! I think we take our awesome creation for granted, but scripture says it best, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (in His image–WOW!)
Great post. I will make the difficult trek to our rear yard today in search of a purple acorn. As unique as we are.
Blessings!
I hope you find one, Debbie! We are unique and blessed. Thank you for stopping by and joining in our conversation. Wishing you a blessed week!
God’s creation offers lessons every day if we just look for them. Thanks for a unique reminder, Katherine. Enjoy!
I agree, Diana. I learn so much from nature’s lessons–if I pay attention! Peace and blessings.
Love this! Yes, let’s be purple acorns. We are uniquely created by God. Have a blessed day! 🙂
God’s creation is so amazing. We are richly blessed to be a part. Thank you for stopping by and sharing insight and encouragement. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Ok, my next walk I will be looking for the purple acorn with those verses tucked in my mind. Thank you!
I hope you find a purple acorn or something else just as unique. So glad you stopped by, Sylvia. Hope your week is filled with blessings.
Thank you for reminding me that, yes, it’s OK to be different and stand apart from this world’s beliefs. We are uniquely made and called to do God’s work. I pray that we all can find our own talents and use them for the glory of His kingdom. Thank you for being YOU!❤️
Oh my energetic, encouraging, and talented friend–THANK you for being you! You share joy and blessings wherever you go. Thank you for your wisdom and prayers.
That we might see our unique areas as special to God and not flaws.
Beautifully expressed, Debbie. Thank you for sharing that lovely thought. Our Lord LOVES us (He loves me in spite of my vast number of flaws). Thank you for sharing blessings today.
what a great lesson from a purple acorn, Katherine! thank you!
Thank you, Kathy. Your encouragement sends a blessings.
Great post! I never knew about purple acorns but now I’m thankful for the reminder they provide us with.
Thank you, Sarah. I’m grateful for your encouragement–and especially thankful to our loving Father for His grace, mercy, and love–and the lessons He shares with us on a daily basis. Peace and blessings!
Very good analogy! I’m “blessed” with a large oak tree overhanging my driveway. We often run over the acorns as we back out of the garage, and they leave a stain. We aren’t as diligent in blowing them into the woods as we should be!
I’ve not noticed any purple ones, but now I’m going to be on the lookout for one. We’ve had an extremely hot summer too.
Yes, I seem to recall, from long ago history classes, that acorns were used by Native Americans to make dye. I expect they do make stains on concrete driveways! I note you are “blessed” by oak trees–I expect the beneficial shade they provide comes with negative side effects (i.e. stains in your drive, loud noise when they fall on your roof, an attractant for squirrel and deer, and a multitude of heavy leaves in the fall to rake or blow). But aren’t oak trees majesty beauties? Thank you for sharing, Candyce.
A beautiful post! Thank you!
Thank you, LuAnn! I hope you’re enjoying the beauty of fall. Peace and blessings.
I love the lesson God showed you in the purple acorn. That is so special Katherine, thanks for sharing. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for them.
I’ve just a few more purple acorns, Yvonne, they’re mostly brown now. We’re blessed by the lessons God shares with us with each change of the seasons. Happy Fall!
Thank you for the analogy and your post, Katherine. I’m so grateful God made a way to be with Him for eternity.
Like you, Joni, I’m so grateful for our Father’s grace, love, and mercy. Wishing you much joy and blessing in this season of fall beauty.