Good morning…
Driving around Atlanta each and every February, my spirit cringes at the sight of crape myrtles cut back, harshly pruned, large limbs severed to their trunk. Pricked by their visual barrenness, I remember the long, hard season when the life of my dreams was severed, pruned, cut back to my very Core. Every year at this time these sharp, stunted branches reveal the rawest phase of our spiritual growth, being severed solely to our invisible Source, the excruciating hours of “trusting without seeing” must be patiently endured.
Heralding summer’s arrival, crape myrtles will eventually erupt by June with profuse clusters of delicate flowers dressed in a colorful array, whites or pinks, purples or yellows, or even cardinal red. Yet in the grey mire of midwinter, naked neutrals promise potential: “If you can wait, you will be amazed by God’s abundant more.”
For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied) (2 Corinthians 8:9, AMPC).
…Sue…
