When I moved into my home five years ago, a dear friend helped me. She did this because she had superior skills in organization, detail, interior decorating, landscaping…and more. She also did this because I was not physically able to do a lot of things due to an undiagnosed physical challenge. She had a habit of modeling the love of God to people by being there to help when help was needed. Although, I was not one to ask for help or readily receive it until this infamous first year in my home.

I eventually underwent surgery to repair a hip degeneration. Due to the delay in making the diagnosis, I experienced some muscle atrophy (shrinking) and remained out of work for over eight months while trying to recuperate from a total hip replacement. I had never in my life experienced anything like this. I relied on many friends during this period of healing. It taught me many things…to be discussed another day.

During this time, this dear friend planted many things in my yard that I had never seen before. I trusted her and her skills for long-range planning. All I saw was dirt but she had a vision and I trusted her.

Because we live in an area of the country that suffers from lack of water, she chose some trees that she knew would do well in my dry, hard soil and recurring winds. All I knew was that these saplings were not very big and needed to be protected and sustained with secure poles. She told me these were Melaleuca trees (also called tea trees). I had no idea what the years of growth would bring. What a surprise was ahead!

As the years passed, I was aware of their increasing size due to change in height on the poles that they were securely attached to. They were getting taller and stronger and began to be sturdy enough to sustain themselves against the gusting winds. Then one day they began to produce a flower that the bees flocked to for nourishment. Amazing…my little saplings had grown into beautiful, strong, life-sustaining reminders of a very cleaver and creative Power!

As the seasons passed, I enjoyed my tree with its peeling bark. I was fascinated by the beauty of the bark that hung in layers on the trunks.  Each piece of bark had its own unique connection point and shape. At times, the pieces seemed to dangle, sustained by tiny and sometimes invisible-to-the-eye connection points. I watched and waited to see when and if the bark would fall. The colors in this maturation process were spectacular.

Then, this last June, I was out front watering and started to notice how smooth the trunk of the tree had become wherever the bark had fallen off. It was large and was now immovable by anything. Then I heard the Lord say, “Your life is like this tree. Layers upon layers have gently fallen off as you have grown in me and allowed me to stretch you to new heights. The beauty and strength that was hidden under the exterior covering has become more exquisite and the foundation has become stronger as you have allowed the layers to fall off in my time. This can’t happen unless you allow the old to be removed to make room for the new.”

What was so amazing was that I never even really noticed how majestic the trees had become. I saw them every day and just took them for granted. I enjoyed them so very much but hadn’t taken time to really study them. Imagine my amazement as He paralleled what had happened in my own life during many years walking with Him. I was so preoccupied with the present that I could not see how far He had taken me and how I had changed.

I was given a promise in a dream fifteen years earlier that I continually hold in my heart. Isaiah 40:28-31…”He created all the world. Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak”.

I love to hear His promise in Jeremiah 29:11-13…“I alone know the plans. I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.“

During my years of trials, tribulations, tears and triumphs I had sought Him with all my heart. I had no choice. There were no other answers…no other way. I knew that.

Like my melaleuca trees, I have become stronger, steadier, able to withstand the winds of time that rage against me. I continue to seek Him with all my heart. I see the Glory of His love and the power that His Son gave to me when He gave up His own life. This wisdom, love and power that He promised in His comforter, the Holy Spirit, changes my life as He fulfills the dreams in my heart.

Do you feel like a little sapling hanging on with all your might? Does it feel like you’ll never get strong enough to withstand what is hurled against you? Are you having trouble seeing any change in your life or in who you are? Don’t give up! He is standing right next to you, attached to you, sustaining you during your growth. I promise you He will never leave you or abandon you. He loves you too much. He knows the beauty that is hidden and He plans on showing you off to the world! He plans on using all your talents and gifts, in His time and when He knows you’re ready. In the meantime, stand back…take a look…see how far you have come! You might be surprised…just like I was.