I took this picture this morning, it's my mango tree on the backyard.  I have watered, feed and talked to this tree for over three years now.  You might think I'm crazy when I said, I've talked to it, right?  Well, it works for me, he is a big boy now!  I think we might be lucky this time and get some mangoes  this year, unless the squirrels get to it first. 

My point here is that it takes time to grow, physically and spiritually.  We must put time into the nourishment of our being or we won't last very long.  The ultimate proof that something works is their fruit.  I know that we as human beings with all our faults and shortcomings don't bear such good fruits sometimes but that doesn't mean we never will.  Discouragement can 't be part of our train of thought here.  Failing only points out to our weaknesses, something we need to pay close attention to the next ime we are faced with a big decision.   It's not easy and it seems to be a never ending battle, but with God on our side we should fear nothing.  Hope is what we should have and the trust that He will help us no matter what.  If we learn to pick ourselves up and try yet one more time, eventually we will bear good fruit, fruit that will nourish, encourage and give hope to those who have given up the battle long time ago.