Good morning…
The bare branches of the almost-winter trees look painful to the eye. Vulnerable. Unprotected. Emptied to the core. The stick figure limbs cry out, “Life has stripped me naked.”
Even Jesus related to the winter trees as he hung in the dark upon the cross. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”), Matthew 27:45-46 (NIV). Vulnerable. Unprotected. Emptied to the core.
We are privileged to know the ancient truth: after death comes resurrection. Deep in our soul, in our darkest hours, we must trust the green of spring to eventually bud on our barren branches.
One day I went strolling through the orchard, looking for signs of spring, Looking for buds about to burst into flower, anticipating readiness, ripeness. Before I knew it my heart was raptured, carried away by lofty thoughts! Song of Solomon 6:11-12 (MSG),
Sue
