People can be a lot like pineapples.

A little rough on the outside. Guarded. Hard to read. Not always easy to approach.

Sometimes life has a way of building that outer layer—through hurt, disappointment, or just the need to protect what’s inside. And if we’re honest, we’ve all had moments where we’ve felt a bit… spiky.

But here’s what’s easy to forget: beneath that exterior, there’s often something incredibly good. Kindness. Warmth. A sweetness that doesn’t show up right away—but is very real.

It just takes patience.

God calls us not to turn away from the tough exterior, but to look a little deeper. To lead with grace. To choose understanding over assumption. Because when we do, we often discover something worth the effort.

And sometimes, we’re not just the ones doing the discovering—we’re the pineapple too.

So whether you’re feeling a little guarded or encountering someone who is, don’t stop at the surface. There’s more there than meets the eye.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — Bible (1 Samuel 16:7)

Keep looking deeper.

The Gateway Team
Strength for today, hope for tomorrow.