Dad and the Plum Tree

As I was going through pictures of Abinadi the other day, something about the following three pictures struck me. Immediately what jumped out at me was how small the plum tree is.  It is the tree in the grass that the dogs are walking by in the background. (Not the coral bark maple in the foreground).

Samson and Abinadi walking by the plum tree.

This picture was taken March 25, 2013.  6 1/2 years ago.  It's kind of hard to see how big the plum tree is, because it's in the spring before leafing out.  But as a comparison I had Lisa take a picture of it today.  The following two pictures are what it looks like today.

Chief laying under the plum tree.  Notice the coral bark maple in the background that was in the foreground.  Also notice the water spigot on the very left-hand side of the photograph.

It has grown a lot in six years.  Let me to you why.

Every time Dad would change out the dogs' water bowl by the garage to give them fresh water, instead of just dumping the water onto the driveway, he would make the extra effort to pour the water on the plum tree.

Those few extra steps and little extra time did wonders for the plum tree.  The plum tree is the only tree on our property that has matured so fast.  The correlation between the plum tree's rapid growth and receiving all that extra water throughout the years is not lost on me.  I attributed the maturation to the extra water a couple of years ago.  I think I may have even mentioned it to Dad.

Every time Dad took a few extra steps and few extra seconds to water the tree, there was no noticeable difference in its growth.  Yet, Dad continued to walk the few extra steps and take the few extra seconds to water the tree.  Every time he changed out the dogs' water.

It took years to see any results of his efforts.  But, the reward did eventually come.  The plum tree is now a beautiful shade tree which we all have been able to enjoy the past few years.  Last year, we put one of our swings under the plum tree and Mom and Dad were able to spend time on the swing every day last summer and fall.  And I know the dogs enjoyed the shade for years.  It's one of the few places that provides ample shade in our yard.

Yes, it would have been easier for Dad to just dump the bowl of water onto the driveway right under the spigot. But, instead, he chose to put forth a little extra effort to water the tree.  I'm sure if he hadn't watered it through the years that it would not be nearly as big as it is now.  And we wouldn't be reaping the benefits of a big beautiful shade tree.  But Dad did put forth the extra effort -- and not only did he receive the benefits of his efforts, but we all now enjoy the benefits of his efforts.

Are we like Dad and put forth a little extra effort to water a tree knowing that we won't see immediate results or rewards? Or do we just dump the bowl of water where it sits under the spigot and let the water run down the driveway?

Do we put forth a little extra effort to say our prayers every day? Do we put forth a little extra effort to read or listen to our scriptures every day?  Do we put forth a little extra effort to go to church every week? Do we put forth a little extra effort to serve someone in need?  Do we put forth a little extra effort to make righteous choices -- when it's easier to follow the crowd?

Making the extra efforts mentioned above will not bring immediate results.  Just like watering the plum tree regularly didn't bring immediate results.  But results will come, slowly but surely.

Trudging through life doing the bare minimum to get by will bring mediocre results in the eternities.  Putting forth a little extra effort every day to follow the Savior and keep His commandments will bring magnificent results in the eternities.

Will we end up with a scrawny little tree or will we have a beautiful full, majestic shade tree?  The choice is ours.

That's my two cents.