I wished the trees and houses on my street did not obstruct my view of dawn’s display.
One morning, red, purple, and yellow streaks kissed the foothills and contrasted with the sky’s navy blue to the east. Stepping outside, I directed my iPhone camera toward the marvel of sunrise through the branches of the small tree at the corner of our front porch. When I posted the result on my Facebook page, someone commented on how gorgeously the colors stood out behind the silhouetted tree. By the time January rolls around, the buffeting of strong winds and pounding rain have bared the trees in the Pacific Northwest. Not one leaf is left clinging.
I’ve been through some storms in life too. Sometimes, friends and family parted ways due to misunderstandings and disagreements. Loss of jobs and income meant moving long distances, leaving the comfort of familiarity behind. Illness and aging can deprive us of what we once enjoyed. I’ve felt bare and bereft.
Life’s storms sometimes blow away all that we cling to or that clings to us. I’m reminded then that when I have nothing left but Jesus, Jesus is all I need. Perhaps that is what is necessary to see the glory of God. In my weakness and lack, He shows His strength and bountifulness. In thinking about being a partner with Christ and having the prospect of seeing His glory, I rejoice that my leafless branches reveal the beauty of who He is. Then, my sadness turns to gladness.
Look through your leafless branches and see the glory of God in your life.
Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to two of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, facilitating a small women’s group at church, and mentoring a few friends who also desire to write.