The Lord spoke to me as I jogged by this seemingly dead tree the other day. I'm finally coming to the place where I'd like to write about it.
So much of my earlier years felt like this tree--decaying, dried out, devoid of life. Sometimes our early days go this way, don't they? I'm not sharing this to point the finger, to blame, to even make sense of my childhood. Because today I am deeply aware that who I am today is resurrected from the decay of what once was. That, to me, is the beauty of this tree.
Because as I jogged by, the Lord reminded me to look up. Although the lower branches seemed stark and dead, the tree's upper branches boasted green brilliance. Such life! Such new, spring joy! Springing from a seemingly dead tree.
Then He reminded me of my husband's life-changing words to me. "Mary," he told me. "My hope is that I can make the latter half of your life more beautiful, more full, more alive than your first half."
He, by God's strength, has kept his word. I have a vibrant, joy-infused life today. My trunk (and my humble beginnings) may bear the scars of a difficult past, but even so, life has sprouted. Alleluia!
6 comments:
I shout with joy that God has given you a man to love you and cherish you so! It blesses my heart to see a precious friend made to feel that way. I'm sorry in high school I didn't see deeply enough into the hurt you carried. Though I *could* see that God was well on His way building up His poweful survivor (or should I say "thriver") spirit in you. You've come a long way, baby, and I am so glad! :)
Thanks so much, Allie. I don't even think I knew how much God would heal me in high school. I had just met Jesus and He was beginning that painful journey of healing (which hurt almost as much as the initial pain!)
You're a dear.
Mary~
I heard you speak on Familylife. Our stories of getting saved young and pioneering a new legacy for our children is so similar. Just know there is a sister cheering for ya along with Lord to keep going in your journey. Your picture of the tree reminds me of a song that has kept me firm in the Lord in the past. The Color Green by Rich Mullins. God bless you in your journey. Kirstian
Kirstian,
What a beautiful name! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this journey!
Like you, Mary, I am often filled with gratitude to Christ, for delivering me from the choices other people made on my behalf when I was young.
He changed my destiny! Those events happened decades ago but my gratitude is ever-fresh, like a flower that magically blooms anew each day. Thanks for your work, Patricia
Patricia, you have a beautiful attitude!
Post a Comment