The burden of surviving!

This coconut palm tree is struggling to survive and bear fruit after it was attacked by Beatles who thrive on the tender shoots of the palm. 

Since noticing the Beatle attack for the first time a few weeks aback, we did what we do normally to protect the tree form being damaged. But the Beatles had an upper hand. There were five tender coconuts and now two are left. The gaping hole in the stem is too large for the coconut tree to survive. This is the seventh young coconut tree that we have lost in the last sixth months.

What does it mean to loose! It is more than just physical loss. All the hours of care, attention and protection offered do not seem to bear fruit. 

A farmer knows the pain of loss. A neighbour lost 200 banana tress in a recent storm. That was his annual source of income. 

Loss of relationships is another dimension that I encountered in the last seven years. People with whom I worked cordially for several years and formed a trustful collaborative approach in evolving a mentoring approach towards young health care professionals collapsed due to conflicts of approach on major issues in health care administration. I felt another shock recently when some others whom I thought I was nurturing turned hostile!

Let me recall, investing in friendships is worth inspite of these hard realities. The Gospel of Jesus would not have been so appealing but for the touching way Jesus held together the contradictions in His followers, especially the 12 disciples. He accompanied them till the last till they left him, denied or betrayed Him. Except the one who betrayed Jesus, who ended his life in remorse, Jesus was able to renew purpose and mission in the eleven who remained. Jesus went after them intently and lovingly. 

I have fainting heart response as I think of taking that path in approach towards broken relationships!

The story of this coconut palm reminds me that living in hostile setting is a call! Its fruits is for others even when it is in a survival struggle. 

The invitation of  Jesus to 'love your neighbour as yourself' is non-negotiable. I live and long to see this becoming a reality my life!  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)