As I look outside from my desk at work, my eyes are drawn to the small tree in my line of vision. To tell you the truth, this tree, through each of the four seasons, helps to keep me grounded and calms my spirit. The wind connects with the leaves either allowing them to ripple and shimmer gently in the breeze, or overwhelming them in a forceful way…causing the branches and leaves to sway and snap back and forth with each new gust.
God communicates with me through the character of this little tree. Today, I feel the complete stillness of the branches and leaves. Complete calmness. There is a storm waiting to unleash; heavy dark clouds are hanging in the sky…blocking the warmth of the sun.
That is exactly how I feel this morning.
In the last three weeks there have been little storms and bigger ones in our life. To name a few – our sump pump and hot water heater gave out and needed replaced, our two year old car had an issue that of course was not covered by warranty and was a sizable chunk of money, our air conditioner gave out and the system needs to be replaced, and the most current and threatening storm is my mom’s health. My mother will be eighty eight next month, and she has been living with my husband and me for eleven years. Lately, she has become noticeably weaker, and it is hard to watch her struggle to walk a short distance.
I feel powerless.
Like that motionless, still tree, I am called to wait…and trust in the Lord as the storms are brewing. Although, being human, I feel stressed and sometimes very confused as to where our path will lead in the future, I put my full faith and trust in the Lord. He knows all of our struggles, and holds us in His loving care as we weather those storms.
He works all toward good for those that love Him. And we love Him! Alleluia!
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
somebodylovesmeblog 
November 24, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Thank you, dear sister, for bringing this to my attention. I remember reading it when you posted it. May you be blessed as you wait for healing of your hurt soul. The waiting in His arms is the best possible place to be!
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July 14, 2015 at 8:36 am
Yes, there are always lessons. It is amazing to look back over the years to see the blessings and lessons learned…so many times showing up as patterns in our lives. When the same issues arise time and again, we can be assured there is something that we are missing, and much to learn in that area.
Thank you for your sweet and edifying words:-)
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July 13, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Sending you arms to hold you ♡ Many blessings to you and your family. I know you will stay strong in your faith through this bad patch…look for your lessons…they are here to teach.
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July 13, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Of course you know I pray for your mother, and I understand how watching all of that is the most helpless feeling in the world. I also understand how God communicates with us through nature, as He does me all the time. I see many things in the trees. It always seems when things hit, they hit all at once. I remember the day my Grandmother died, our septic system overflowed. I could not get to the hospital for hours bc of it. Waiting on the Lord at times is one of the hardest things to do, as to me it never seems He is in a hurry. Yet, He is never too late, is He? Loved the post and thanks for sharing. God Bless, SR
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July 14, 2015 at 8:32 am
SR…as always, thank you for your kind words and wisdom. No, He is never late. Although it seems many times I am late to see His care for me and the answers that are right before my eyes:-)
Love and blessings,
Bernadette
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July 13, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I love this post and pray you all make it through these challenges. This post hits home for me because there is a tree in my line of sight at home from where I sit to work every day. Four years ago when I moved to this place, this tree used to be much larger than it is now. It has suffered through a nasty multi-year drought and lost some of its branches. It has been struck by lightning and lost more branches. It has endured some wild windstorms and an extremely cold winter this past winter. I find myself looking at it and seeing my life in it. We’ve both been through some crazy storms and have been physically cut back, but we’re still here and thriving by the grace of God.
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July 14, 2015 at 8:29 am
Isn’t it amazing how God speaks to us through His beautiful creations? All we have to do is stay open to Him, and listen for His voice.
May God continue to bless you and carry you:-)
Bernadette
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July 13, 2015 at 10:32 am
And His purposes in verse 28 or mentioned in vs 29 to conform us into the likeness of Christ.
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July 13, 2015 at 10:36 am
Amen!
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July 13, 2015 at 10:06 am
Your vulnerability (which you have referred to as feeling helpless), is a sign that you know you are not in control. That is a good thing, that is a God thing!
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July 13, 2015 at 10:14 am
Thanks for your support, Tina:-) Sometimes I really have to focus on the truth that I should not always rely on my “feelings” or lack of them. Although I may feel powerless at times, in my heart and soul I know that God is in control, and is with me. (as He is with all of us!)
Love to see your smiling face! Love and prayers to you and your family!
Bernadette
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July 13, 2015 at 9:52 am
Patrick…thank you so much for your support and encouragement. And an extra thank you for sharing these very thoughtful words. I will take them to heart:-)
Your sister and friend in Christ,
Bernadette
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July 13, 2015 at 9:55 am
my friend, you are most welcome.
Our personal perspective is always aided by a “Help me Lord”
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July 13, 2015 at 9:42 am
Thank you for sharing,
As I was reading my Stations of the Cross this morning [Father John Hardson’s prayer book]; he mentions twice that it is ONLY through our crosses that we attain the grace to enable us to get to heaven.
I’ll be 71 next month, and one of my many regrets is that it took me so long to not only understand; but actually internalize the fact that God is a lot smarter than any of us: He gives humanity only two option. Either He is permitted to be in charge or we usurp and presume to have a right to do it for ourselves.
Once we are Blessed to be enabled to know and ACCEPT that God IS in charge; then our lives are greatly simplified. We can know that everything; no matter how insignificant or how serious the cross is; its God’s will for us at this precise moment. A “Jesus HELP ME!” goes a long way.
Everything that happens, every is for one of two reasons:
1. For the possible glorification of God
2. For OUR possible sanctification [our freewill choice of choosing good or evil] and ALSO God’s sanctification for permitting us the opportunity to choose good over evil.
A former pastor use to “suggest” at times that it is a good practice to ask our selves , when the going seems to be getting difficult for us: Why me; Why here; why now? Knowing now, full well that God is in charge; that He IS in charge; and that what ever He ask us to face and accept; is after all, a grace to us opportunity.
What this little exercise does, is to permit us to take a deep breath, and to with God’s help; to get past ourselves. Not always easy to do; but usually a very good thing. Time for anothe: “Jesus Help me!” Amen.
And “this too shall pass.”
This come with a prayer for you and yours,
God Bless you!
Patrick
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July 13, 2015 at 9:42 am
So true…I don’t know how anyone can get through life without Jesus. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to leave a comment:-)
Have a blessed day!
Bernadette
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July 13, 2015 at 9:36 am
Our lives are full of little challenges every day – even the small ones can become overwhelming at times. Staying rooted in Christ helps us stay strong enough to overcome them. Our life comes from Him. Thanks for a great post.
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