Confidence of a Six Year Old

            During Ashlyn’s softball game, Molly joined me on the bleachers. We talked a moment and then her little legs kicked the air.

            “I want to do karate,” she said.

            I thought back to other statements she made about possible activities. On the day she was to sign up for softball, she changed her mind and tried a season of soccer. She loved playing with one of her best friends, but at the close of the season, she decided gymnastics would be good. She practices her moves around the house and amazes me with her strength.

            After several kicks, she looked at me and said, “I think I could play basketball.”

            “Great grandpa was a basketball coach and played too,” I replied.

            “He played softball until a few months before he died,” Emily added.

            Molly nodded. Her mind shifted again. “I think I could play ice hockey too.”

            I tried not to laugh when she continued. “But I don’t know how to ice skate.”

            As she went down the bleachers, Emily and I laughed.

            Her lack of skills and knowledge didn’t dampen her enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. How many times have I not done something because I was afraid I would look silly or fail? Her confidence inspired me.

            Life is too short to sit on the sidelines, watch, and regret not participating. Molly tickles me but also encourages me to live life fully with confidence.  Alan would agree.

The Shining Light

 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 KJV)

            Like a beacon, a full moon blazed through the predawn darkness above my neighbor’s house when I opened the door to get my newspaper. I stood alone on the sleepy street joined only by a songbird’s melody. The beauty of the huge, white circle captivated me as it slid downward toward the horizon.

            Minutes later, I watched the sun rise above the trees behind my house. An explosion of pink and blue colored the sky and reflected on the lake.

            Both stunning scenes displayed the awesome faithfulness of God. Each morning the sun rises and the moon continues its path because God placed them perfectly in orbit. As I relished the magnificent sunrise, I had to sing. “Great is thy Faithfulness. Oh, God my Father…” God’s creation revives and inspires me.

            But as gorgeous as the full, harvest moon can be, it is only a dark, rocky satellite with no radiance of its own. The brilliant glow only reflects another source of light.

            Likewise, we are only flawed, broken people with no light of our own. But as Christians, we can reflect the Son’s light to a dark, shattered world.

           

Heavenly Father, thank you for the sun, moon and other heavenly bodies. You so perfectly placed each one just like you placed each of your children. Help us to shine your light into the hurting world. Amen

The Battered Tree

 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Isaiah 29-31 KJV)

            As hurricane Matthew headed for Florida, news reports concerned me. When I left home for a retreat in Kentucky, he was far away with an uncertain path. Only after seeing the news did I see the massive storm headed to my area.

            Each year forecasters predict numerous destructive storms but normally they don’t come to Central Florida. Matthew appeared to be different.

            Text messages went to my family members and neighbors. Back and forth texts kept me informed but still concerned. Wonderful neighbors secured my home. My brother in South Florida was affected first and sustained little damage. Electricity remained on.

            During the retreat, my mind wandered from the speakers to the storm at home. When others learned of my location, they offered prayers. More prayers came from the leaders.

            Hour after hour I watched weather reports and waited. Even though I was not in the storm, my heart was. I worried for my family and friends in its track. My neighbor and son sent similar messages. We are ok. Lots of rain and wind. Scary. For almost twelve hours, the storm raged.

            Only when I heard that it passed, could I relax. Thankfully, those I knew were fine. My home was not damaged and there were only a few branches to be picked up. However, many places sustained much damage from wind and water.

            Days later when I arrived home, I could not see the effects of the storm in the darkness. The following morning I stepped outside to survey my yard. When I looked at the stand of seven cypress trees by the lake, I noticed a change.

            Six trees remained straight and strong. But my favorite one tilted. Perhaps to an outsider, it would not have been noticeable but I knew. Its green leaves were secure and branches intact. Only one limb hung precariously after being snapped off. But the trunk leaned toward the lake.

            Because the tree stood closer to my house than the others, I had trimmed its lower, scraggly branches and pulled weeds from near its trunk. The tree caught my eye each morning as I looked at the lake. In the fall, I enjoyed its colorful leaves and spring time brought bright, green ones. It was my favorite tree.

            How could such a strong tree be moved by the wind when surrounding ones had not been affected? Stakes would not straighten it. Nor could I push it into place like a smaller tree. Its fate is in the hands of God. Not me.

            I hope that the roots hold it in place. Perhaps intertwining ones with the other trees might keep it upright. Hopefully, another storm won’t topple it.

            Like the intense wind of the hurricane, pain and grief have pushed me off balance too. However in the midst of my own storms, God holds me securely and doesn’t allow me to fall.

            My leaning cypress tree reminds me that God’s strength, protection, and compassion support me just like he does for my bending tree.

Heavenly Father, thank you for constantly holding onto me in the storms I face. Amen