Scary Trees

Have you ever noticed that the seasons of life can be difficult to navigate?  The terrain, the temperature, the surroundings and the amount of light can all affect how we "get through" this thing called life.  The hardest of these seasons are the ones that most resemble the winter season.

This winter, my kids and I spent a great deal of time looking at what I call the "scary trees". Like the one here.  Now, in the daylight, with the bright blue sky behind it, it does not look quite as intimidating, but they are easier to spot.  However at night, with a full moon behind it, those branches look like arms ready to reach out and grab you.

But what I am trying to teach them is that even though they look scary in the winter, when the spring comes, those branches will be full of leaves and they will be the most beautiful trees ever.  The kind of tree that provides needed shade and a place to climb and hide in the summer.  A place to run to rather than from.

The winters in our lives can sometimes be as scary as these trees look.  They can be full of dormant fears coming to the surface.  They can remind us of the seemingly dead parts of our lives and make us feel like spring and new growth will never happen.  They can lord over us with intimidation tactics and tell us that we should be afraid, remain depressed, let our current circumstances dictate how we feel and what we do.  But God - my two favorite words - but God is merely preparing your life for the next growth season.  He is using the winter season to remind you to not look at your circumstances, to look to Him for your reassurance, your direction, your peace and your comfort.  These situations you are in will not only change, but they can be the source of your strength when the growth happens.