Several years ago I snapped a photo of this little tree when it was in full bloom with fall color; it was breathtaking. I even remember posting the following scripture below it:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:1-3)
I remember thinking " Oh Lord, help me to become like the tree David wrote of..."
This morning on our walk all this came back to me as I stared at this tree and all I could think about was, what happened to the tree? It's still by the water it has always been. There are no other trees around it that are struggling. The lake looks healthy.
But what happened to the tree?
And then this thought came to mind: "Sometimes there are dry seasons where the world we're living in crashes in all around us and it's all we can do to get out of bed each day and do what needs to be done."
If that's you today. I want you to know you are not alone. I want you to know I am there with you. But mostly I want you to know (and I need this reminder too) that God has us both in His hands.
He hasn't gone anywhere.
He hasn't left us to figure it out on our own.
In fact, I am becoming aware that He's closer in our dry seasons than in the times when we feel like everything is thriving.
Sometimes, the fruit that's being cultivated is on the inside and the outside takes a while longer to reveal what's going on.
Hang in there with me.
Keep trusting God
Keep turning to Jesus
Keep listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit
This dry season will end and what will come as a result of our steadfast faith in the only One who can replenish and restore will be nothing short of miraculous.
To that I will cling.
To that I will follow.
To that I defiantly whisper, "Thy Will Be Done."