Like a tree in a storm

The second storm was making it's way through. For many people, the electricity had just come back on. For most, it was still out.

Scott and I stood watching out a front window at a large maple tree, which the previous storm had already ripped and broken a great deal of. The debris had just been cleared that morning.We watched as the wind blew and pushed and bent that big tree.

As I stood watching, with my husband's strong arms around me, I found myself mentally pulling for that tree, praying for God to keep it strong, keep it whole. For it was just over two years ago that I felt a bond form with that tree. Another storm was raging outside my home, as well as inside my home, at that time. I was caught up in a fierce storm in my marriage. As I paced around, praying for God to heal us, I stopped and looked out the window at the large maple being shaken and bent by the storm raging outside. I stood, amazed at how the wind was pushing it nearly over, and my Father spoke to me. "Do you see that tree, daughter? See how the wind blows against it but it does not fall? Instead, the storm just makes it stronger. I am making you like that tree. You may feel tossed around by this storm you are going through, but it will not break you. It will make you stronger."

Two years and more storms later, I am stronger. I know that God is good. All the time. I know that He is my strength. I know that hope based on anything but Him will leave me wanting. And yet, I don't feel stronger. And maybe that's a good thing, because if I did feel strong I would forget that I need Him. So I take it a day at a time, beginning each bathing in His Word, and when I feel that ache in my soul, I will try to remember that it is not me being weak, it is me realizing that I am not home yet.