Mable Maple shivered as the cold wind brushed up against her bark. The last crusty, brown, leaf slipped from her branches. Mable shed a tear as the leaf collapsed on the earthen floor. She felt so vulnerable and exposed. Mable loved autumn. She adored the ruby reds, the delicious yellows, and the vibrant branches that used to fill her life. Why had God asked her to give up such beauty, such promise? It seemed unfair.
Like Mabel the Maple tree we all go through seasons, some desirable while others not. If I had it my way I would constantly live in the world of summer; fireflies at night, the smell of adventure, and constant sunshine. But if God allowed me to be in only one season forever than I would never grow. Recently God asked me to come to a season of winter. Don’t get me wrong, God has blessed me greatly but during this season there are still some places in between my branches that are barren and bare. So, like a tree in the dead of winter all I can do is lift my arms to God. Only He can fill the space between my branches.
“Therefore behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her” Hosea 2:14. I love this verse because it demonstrates that sometimes God brings us to the winter, the barren place, in our life so that Christ can speak comfort to us. So many times I think I would rather have that certain dream fulfilled but instead God gives me an ache so that I can only be filled with Him alone.
I don’t know what deep ache is probing your soul tonight but know that God is always near. And in Him we are complete.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away” Ecc. 3:1,6.
“For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be reveled in us” Romans 8:18.
Thorns amidst the Roses 