Written by Kathy T.
When we moved into our house in 1999; there was a huge healthy tree, full of branches and leaves in our front yard. We made that tree our ‘Family Tree’ for our family pictures. Our first one was us, our four kids and one daughter-in-law. Since then, our family has grown to include 2 more daughters-in-law, 1 son-in-law and 12 grandchildren. Although our family changed periodically; that tree stayed the same. Through storms of life, hot summers & cold winters. It was steadfast and unmovable.
In 2003, a bad storm came through De Soto. It took out multiple trees in our back yard. The huge tree in the front yard only had minor damage to some branches. It appeared to have weathered yet another storm. What we didn’t realize was that it weakened the trunk of that tree. Whether it was just that storm damage or insects that got in the tree...it started the downward spiral for our tree. We couldn’t see it because it was on the inside. The branches slowly started dying. We would just trim those branches off. But, the unseen damage inside was still there. It now stands as an unsightly, dead trunk. We do not have a family picture there with our final grandchild. When we get everyone here at one time to get that final picture, the trunk will come down and be burned in our woodstove this next winter.
It brought to my mind that this was a picture of a Christian that started out strong and full of life. Storms could not sway it’s steadfastness. But then, something happened that caused hurt or weakness to that Christian. It was inside the Christian, unseen by others. It started out as something very small. But, left alone, it grew. If we allow these things to remain and not pull it up by the roots...it can not only damage our spiritual life; but, it can destroy it. Our spiritual strength comes from the Lord. That’s why we need to stay connected to Him. He WANTS to heal us and strengthen us. We need to let him. Don’t be defeated..let Him have it.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed: for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”