One of my good friends shared this with me last week (credit to her friend Linda for writing it). I think it speaks for itself:
'Tis the season. The Christmas tree is up and decorated. The house is festive with all the Christmas treasures I’ve collected over the years. Marv’s out front getting his fun outdoor lights just right. I’m sitting here at the desk looking out the window at the huge trees across the street and taking a few minutes to ponder...
Wasn’t it just yesterday I sat in this very spot, looking out the same window – reveling in the splendor of spring and the wonder of new life? Admiring the trees in their budding beauty and listening to the birds singing their springtime songs? There are no birds singing today. Those same trees are barren, seemingly lifeless. Their skeletons stand against the winter sky, bleak and desolate.
And yet...there is a beauty here I’ve not seen before. These majestic trees – so beautiful in the newness of spring, the fullness of summer, and the colorful splashes of fall – are no less beautiful now. I don’t know if I’ve ever noticed their winter beauty before. It is stark and naked, exposed and vulnerable. They stand before their Creator strong and steady, knowing that this hard season is necessary, and knowing that their Maker is faithful to see them through it.
I could take a lesson from the winter trees. To embrace the vulnerability of a cold, dark season. To stand strong and steady through the test, even though I feel naked and exposed. To be assured that my Father is faithful. This season is not for my destruction, but to position me for growth, for strengthening and for renewed beauty.
It is for His glory, I know. And now I’m seeing that it truly is for my good as well. Thank You, Father, for opening my eyes to a bit of Your truth today. Please help me to be like the winter trees. Give me the grace to stand before you naked and exposed. Help me to embrace the vulnerability of this season of my life. Holy Spirit, please come and do Your work in my soul.
Wasn’t it just yesterday I sat in this very spot, looking out the same window – reveling in the splendor of spring and the wonder of new life? Admiring the trees in their budding beauty and listening to the birds singing their springtime songs? There are no birds singing today. Those same trees are barren, seemingly lifeless. Their skeletons stand against the winter sky, bleak and desolate.
And yet...there is a beauty here I’ve not seen before. These majestic trees – so beautiful in the newness of spring, the fullness of summer, and the colorful splashes of fall – are no less beautiful now. I don’t know if I’ve ever noticed their winter beauty before. It is stark and naked, exposed and vulnerable. They stand before their Creator strong and steady, knowing that this hard season is necessary, and knowing that their Maker is faithful to see them through it.
I could take a lesson from the winter trees. To embrace the vulnerability of a cold, dark season. To stand strong and steady through the test, even though I feel naked and exposed. To be assured that my Father is faithful. This season is not for my destruction, but to position me for growth, for strengthening and for renewed beauty.
It is for His glory, I know. And now I’m seeing that it truly is for my good as well. Thank You, Father, for opening my eyes to a bit of Your truth today. Please help me to be like the winter trees. Give me the grace to stand before you naked and exposed. Help me to embrace the vulnerability of this season of my life. Holy Spirit, please come and do Your work in my soul.
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