Dear friends,
I have been writing my whole life. I discovered in sixth grade English class, after submitting a compilation of poems and essays, that expressing thoughts through words is something I could naturally do. This event was meaningful because, at the start of middle school, I had a hard time processing who I was in the world outside my home. Within my family, I had unconditional love and praise. The middle school boxing ring caused me to feel different, and sometimes less than. So, having the top compilation in English class translated as value and talent in this new public space. It’s a good memory to this day.
Since then, I’ve written decades of letters and cards to my loved ones. Tons of papers and essays through high school, college and law school. Once, in my thirties, a book. I’ve written speeches and a handful of eulogies. I’ve blogged for fifteen years with other girls and on my own. Recently, I spent a summer writing poems. After being very sick several years ago, I thought I may choose to never write again. But, I couldn’t actually permanently stop.
Sometimes when I can’t write words, I bake, read, color, plan get togethers or make gifts. This is almost the same as writing because it’s making and sharing. But, it’s not the same as writing. Namely, because I know I was made to write in a more meaningful way than the other ways I can make and share.
What stops us from doing the thing we were made to do?
The relevant question here is – – why don’t we do the thing we know we were knitted together to do? In my case, why haven’t I written much in the last year? My first real excuse is that godaddy tried to eat my blog content a few months ago. They could not explain why they could not find my blog – like it’s gone and we don’t know why so we will call you back tomorrow (and they never did). I then hired a very efficient young man from Fiverr who brought it back in about fifteen minutes. Woohoo! Other than this panicky event that happened in the first quarter of the year, I have a few other thoughts on what stops us from the thing we were knitted together to do.
When Daily Practices Fall Away . . .
I had a really hard time reading in 2024. If you know my reading rhythm, I read about 12 books a year plus my Spring and Fall bible studies. Some of you think that’s a lot. Others of you who read a lot more than me think it’s sort of cute to read a book a month. In any case, I had a hard time reading. I didn’t like a lot of what I choose to read. I tried to move into different genres with some success but not a lot of success. I also became too attached to my phone as a first thing, last thing daily event. The fact is that writers have to read into order to write. In losing the practice of reading daily, I lost my thoughts for writing.
When Big Things Come Up and Other Things Get Smaller
In 2024, I poured most of my self into caring for someone I love very much. I spent a lot of time walking and praying and learning how to know God as the God of Hope. On the other end of my 2024 candle stick, I was poured into and refueled by key women who revived me daily. They built me up with wisdom and stood by me every.single.day. What does all of this mean for following one’s calling? During that time, I was fully using my resources for the work at hand. Sometimes big things sweep in for a season and other things get smaller, including our God given calling.
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Overwhelm is Overwhelming
The themes that I normally write about are dreams, time and friendship. With dreams there are disappointments. With time, there is an end and a beginning which can be painful. With friendships, we build and sometimes lose what we build. Because of the nature of my soul and personality, I can be overwhelmed by disappointments, ends of things and losing what’s been built. In that overwhelm, I lose words. When I lose words, I let go of the time that I used to use to write them.
There is no shame here. When output isn’t balanced by input, we put parts of ourselves on hold until the balance returns. Sometimes the hold is an intentional choice. In other instances, it’s a limit that just is. In thinking about seasons, limits and what may bear us down, God showed me the trunk of a very strong tree. Here is her story.
The Strong Tree
There is a tree with a very strong trunk. She has branches and twigs, leaves and an anchoring root system. This tree grows stronger over time and in every season. You can choose to be like her by following her patterns. She finds strength even when seasons ask her to live, breathe and move differently. She doesn’t feel shame over her limits, but embraces God’s goodness to see her through to even more strength.
As the sun rays pour down on her leaves, branches, trunk and root system, she takes in His glory and grows even stronger then.
When the wind blows and she stands through the gusts, she is not weakened. She is made even stronger by the One who holds all things together.
When the rains come and her trunk and root system are saturated and soaked, she is not weakened. She remains still and trusts that the saturation will hydrate her and not harm her.
When this tree bears fruit, she is made stronger in her bearing. Even in the output, she is not diminished but grows in stature.
We are made Stronger by the Things that Build Us Up & Also the Things That We Weather
The Good Weather
Surely, we are made stronger by the things that build us up. We have good, good days where His glory is as clear as the sun’s rays. In some seasons, all is well and he builds our roots of confidence. We are braver. We remember to believe in His promises and believe the best in others. He expands the coverage of our shade to comfort and love others. We are able to focus and give space to growing, the work of our hands and pursuit of new and exciting adventures.
Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord . . . She is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of the drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17: 7-8
The Winds
We are also made stronger by what we weather. In some seasons, we stand in powerful gusts of wind where we are taught long suffering. We didn’t choose the gust that aims to take us or our loved ones out. God teaches us stamina as he give us his supernatural strength. This is possible because we have an available, healthy root system where he can share with us his gifts and power through his love.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then . .
Ephesians 6:13-14
The Monsoon
We find strength through rains. Life can feel like a monsoon where the rain starts to fall fast, almost out of nowhere. The floods make way quickly. The rushing water flows fast and hard suggesting it’s a good time to give in the current. But no! Our root system and trunk are strong. We can choose to believe that the saturation won’t weaken us. We hold onto our hope and with expectancy, look forward to the strength of the hydration. We have all that we need in him.
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
2 Chronicles 20:17
The Fruit
We also gain strength as we bear fruit. It takes a lot of output to birth beautiful red apples or gorgeous blooms. Outpouring sometimes takes everything we have within us. But the fruit is worth the sacrifice and there is deep gain in contributing to beauty to share with others.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you so that you will love one another.
John 15: 16
Remember the Wisdom of the Strong Tree
I pray you hold onto the wisdom of the strong tree. She is an old soul who reminds herself to reframe the storms in her life. Yes, there are hard, hard things that we all weather in our earthly lives. Our memory of our experiences is meant to make us braver and stronger in the current moment. Our memory is meant to bring us to recall our prior strength as we walk forward in His light.
It may be easier to remember the fear of the monsoon or hurricane. But it is wiser to remember that you were hydrated and not harmed. You can choose to think of the relentless wind that blew hard against you, but you can also choose to recall that you were held by your Father who was holding all things together.
As life goes on, we weather more storms. We stand in the wind, take in the sunrays and bear fruit. In other words, we have the privilege of living to see more seasons of life which give way to his faithfulness. The more there is to see, the more strength there is to gain from a Father who is always on watch for his children. It is good to grow into a strong tree.
Questions for Thought:
What season are you in now? Basking in the sun (rest), standing in the storm or bearing fruit?
Whatever your season, what can you learn from the Strong Tree?
What verse did you most relate to in this post?
How can you follow your God given calling in this season?
Meditation Verse:
I have been sent to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61: 3
