With cranberries, it’s the bounce that counts. According to Science Digest, processing cranberries involves pouring freshly picked berries down a series of step-like boards. At each level, only the berries that bounce over an eight-to-ten-inch barrier pass the test. Each berry gets eleven chances. Those that fail are discarded. Some fruits are judged by their firmness and colour, but the cranberry is distinguished by its ability to “bounce like a golf ball.”
The strength of our faith can also be judged by our ability to bounce back after defeat. Although setbacks hurt, they allow us to show our underlying confidence in Christ. A spiritual reversal should not cause us to give up. It’s the “bounce “of our faith and His forgiveness that are important.”
Cranberries are very popular at this time of the year. Personally, I could have them all year round, but I’m one of the people who like to get them already prepared in a jar.
Many years ago, when I was a member of McCracken Presbyterian Church in Belfast, we had a very interesting speaker at one of our Presbyterian Women’s meetings. She was a member of the Penobscot Native Americans Tribe from Maine in the USA. She told us about the history and life of her people.
Many of the men were unemployed and just lay about most of the day drinking alcohol (introduced to them by Europeans). One day a man came to their village and studied the surrounding area and the lack of work. He realised that he could do something about it and started a cranberry business. He gave these people employment and also gave them back their dignity. This cranberry business later became known as Ocean Spray.
I have drunk many cartons of this cranberry juice. The success of the bounce of these cranberries helped many to overcome hardships.
May we all “bounce” back after this pandemic.