Jump to content
JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community

“A Time for Bananas” — a Glimpse of Wonder entry™ —


dljbsp

118 views

It starts green. You can try to eat it then, of course. Teeth squeak. Flavor’s not quite there. Feels like chewing a plantain with something to prove.

 

But wait a few days, and the banana changes. The skin softens. A little sweetness creeps in. Those freckles start to show — first one or two, then a whole constellation. And just like that, it’s ready.

 

According to modern health science, that shift matters more than taste. A ripe banana — mellow, yellow, and halfway slouching in the fruit bowl — is known for relieving constipation. It’s packed with soluble fiber that helps move things along. But eat it too early, while it’s still green and stubborn? That same banana can have the opposite effect. Its high starch content can actually cause constipation. One fruit. Two results. Timing makes all the difference.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is an appointed time, even a time for every affair under the heavens.” (NWT) Most of us hear that and think big thoughts — life, death, heartbreak, healing. But sometimes it applies just as well to your intestines. Or your grocery list.

 

Truth is, Jehovah built timing into everything. Not just fruit, but feelings. Decisions. Conversations. There’s a time to speak and a time to stay quiet. A time to hold back, and a time to take a chance. A time to reach for the phone — and a time to stop checking if they’ve texted you back yet.

 

And if you try to rush any of those things, you may wind up just as knotted up as if you’d eaten the banana before it was ready.

 

Now, no one wants to be the person explaining that to their doctor:

“Well, see, I got impatient. It looked kinda yellow in the shadows…”

 

But in all seriousness, it’s comforting to know that Jehovah understands ripening. He doesn’t judge a heart for being in-process. He waits. He works with time. Sometimes, he asks us to do the same — even when the waiting feels awkward, slow, or uncertain.

 

So next time you see a banana on the counter, take a second look. Is it green with potential, or golden with promise? Is it ready… or just almost there?

 

It may be a fruit bowl.

It may be your life.

Either way — trust the One who knows the time for everything.

6 Comments


Recommended Comments

2 hours ago, Qapla said:

Another aspect to bananas - when they turn brown to black, they are not useless as that is when they make the best banana bread. So, like us, just because we have gotten a little old it doesn't mean we should give up ... we can still be useful.

In fact, if we are old in the truth we are likely well bred. Also, black bananas cooked with a little rum is not bad either.

Link to comment
19 minutes ago, Mike047 said:

In fact, if we are old in the truth we are likely well bred. Also, black bananas cooked with a little rum is not bad either.

 

THANK YOU  -  THANK YOU  -  THANK YOU  !  !  !

 

At age 81, having been active in field service over 75 years, and a fourth generation witness that REALLY makes me feel much better!

 

My great-grandmother accepted the truth circa 1920.  Her daughter, son-in-law, and all five grandchildren accepted the truth. One of her grandsons had his life story in the December 1, 1992, Watchtower. One of her great-grandsons has his life story in the July 2025 Watchtower, and is currently serving at WHQ. One of her great-granddaughters spent over 50 years (with her now deceased husband) as a Special Pioneer, Circuit Servant's wife, and District Servant's wife. Another of her great-grandaughters is with her husband in Bethel in England. More than I can count of the rest of her great-grandchildren are serving as Elders, Ministerial Servants, and Pioneers in their congregations.

 

My son (her great-great-grandson) is a Ministerial Servant in his congregation (he is fifth generation witness). My grandsons (her great-great-great-grandsons) are approved unbaptized publishers.

 

I am VERY thankful that I, like Timothy, "from infancy . . . have known the holy writings."

 

I have not had to un-lean wrong things. I have not had to put aside bad habits or wrong conduct. 

 

I am very greatful for the spiritual heritage of the family in which I happened to be born.

 

Having said all of that, let me be clear, those without that history have made great strides in their lives to be worshippers of Jehovah, and they are to be admired!

 

When I see those who were not "raised in the truth" I encouraged to see the changes they have had to make, in thinking, attitudes, and conduct, in order to conform their lives to Jehovah's standards. 

 

I have tremendous respect and admiration for those who have made these changes to please Jehovah.

 

They are truly great examples for those of us who did not have to face the changes they faced. Their love for Jehovah is amply evident in the things they have done to be able to serve him.

 

To all of those who have made these changes ->  thank you - thank you - THANK YOU for doing the things you had to do to put Jehovah first!

 

I am not sure I would have been able to do what you have done.

 

Thanks for listening (or reading),

 

Jim

Link to comment

Join the conversation with your brothers and sisters!

You are posting as a guest. If you are already a member, sign in now to post with your existing account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

About JWTalk.net - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community

Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for real Jehovah's Witnesses on the web. However, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is not endorsed, sponsored, or maintained by any legal entity used by Jehovah's Witnesses. We are a pro-JW community maintained by brothers and sisters around the world. We expect all community members to be active publishers in their congregations, therefore, please do not apply for membership if you are not currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

JWTalk 23.8.11 (changelog)