There’s a tall, spindly Live Oak tree in my backyard. It’s only about two years old and you can practically see right through the thing. The tree is so sparce the thin, top limbs always bend and bow. I was beginning to lose hope that the tree would flourish until I saw a bird sitting on one of the limbs. While the top limbs danced and swayed in the wind, the bottom limbs were still and offered a perfect resting place for a weary traveler. The tree was so well rooted that although the top limbs blew around in every direction, the thicker bottom limbs are steadfast and peaceful.
Our faith life can be just like that tree. Problems of the world can throw us off our axis, ruffle our feathers and cause our limbs to bend and bow. But deeper in us lies a faith that everything will turn out for the good. There’s a peace that’s found only by being rooted in Christ. His Holy Spirit provides the resting place in our soul, the calm in the storm. Are you focusing so much on how the tree bends that you don’t notice that there are birds perched in the limbs? Are you only seeing the problem at hand without noticing the blessings that are there as well? In the midst of your struggle, God is showing up and blessing you in very unexpected ways. Are you watching for the birds?
Be blessed,
Jennifer
“Therefore we do not lose heart…for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
