I was transcribing some of my 2022 journal notes onto my PC this morning and came across this entry.

November 5, 2022

This morning, as I watch the trees swaying with the cool northwest breezes, I am humbled by their surrender to You.  Some of them are entirely stripped of their leaves.  Others are in varied stages of disrobing.  But they are all yielding to the wind of Your Spirit.  They allow weak branches to give way to the ground and leaves to dance away unhindered.

A few leaves on the peach tree still cling to the ends of the tallest branches declaring their steadfastness in trial.  They too will ultimately release their grasp only to find it’s easier now to stand.

Yes, the stripped trees are not being rocked and shaken like the trees still in leaf.  In comparison, the stripped trees stand at rest, trusting their inner strength to keep them.

For the first time, I see the tallest tree carrying a heart in its branches. Do you see it? This heart is not visible when the tree is in full dress. 

How like us it is.  When we are stripped of our public wardrobe of reputation, crowd support, and work, we look more to God to meet our needs, and our love for Him grows.  He is the inner strength that we often ignore in times of plenty.  Yet, He is always there, holding us in His love.

LORD, may we humble ourselves in every season. May we not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. And may Your heart be seen and felt and experienced in all we say and do. For Your glory, LORD. For Your praise.

Shalom ♥