Storms Always Pass, So Stay Standing
Anyway, while the sacrifice of losing sleep seemed like it couldn't ever be worth it, we had a great day.
There are trees there that they claim to be 1700 years old! There, we saw some of the largest trees... and they were pretty massive!
I think the best part was this tree.
I don't know, but after a while I got bored. You know, a tree's a tree's a tree. So what even was the big deal? They look the same after a while!!!
Well, I stopped in my tracks here.
This tree was hundreds of years old. HUNDREDS. And the crazy thing was that it looked like it had been burned several times and battered by the weather its environment had allowed. As I walked around it, I saw that this tree had in fact been struck in half by lightning. Talk about traumatic.
To be completely honest, I have been feeling caught up in some environmental chaos myself. Being home and completely shifting my environment away from school for the summer is always a big transition. And, believe it or not, my family isn't perfect, I don't have a lot of close friends, and I often feel kind of lonely. Since things have slowed down, I have been able to process this past year- which has been good, but sometimes bad and a bit hard too. Looking back at the places that hurt- it can be hard! My best friend here in California is soon to be engaged and married, and then move across the country. Which means things are going to change in our friendship. I am scared. I am terrified of losing another friend. Things with my family are feeling strained. I hate writing that because I am admitting that things aren't perfect, which I was taught to hide for so long. I have been frustrated at the loss of community. College has been such a phenomenal experience- spiritually and socially (and of course academically). Anyway, the point is that even though these things seem petty, I feel pretty uprooted. Pretty far from God, from friends, from people who will hold me accountable spiritually. I feel worn out, and dry and brittle- which makes the seeming chaos look like a very threatening bolt of lightning about to strike.
But if you look back, at that last paragraph, notice something. "I feel." I know feelings and all are valid. Feelings can be indicators, or side effects of bigger problems.
For me, I think the problem is that I am afraid. Afraid of the change. The storm. And afraid my roots aren't deep enough to keep me grounded, like that tree in the park that day.
But, as I think of that tree, I remember its vivid resilience. The way it stood so majestically.
Yes, it looked like it had been through a fire. But split in half, struck by lightening? I couldn't tell until I walked over and gave it closer glance. I'm no hippie (nothing against hippies), but I have to say that tree taught me something. Or rather, it reminded me of something I had forgotten: Storms Always Pass, So Stay Standing.
And as Christians, we remember that which we are standing on. The solid rock that is Christ Jesus. So even if we are scared that our roots aren't deep enough, we can be sure that the foundation of Christ beneath our feet will make up for what strength we need in this storm that we cannot muster on our own.
God, you are bigger than my feelings and way bigger than the storms I see. Be my solid rock. May this season be one that draws my roots deep, deep into your foundation. Thank you for that moment of encouragement at the tree. I love you, God.
Stay Standing Sweet Friends,
Melly
XOXO
Comments
Post a Comment