A Dead Tree Gave me Hope

Here in my country we are a few months into summer now. After the winter, it is beautiful seeing the bare trees start to sprout leaves and then as if suddenly burst into leaves from every branch. I have this small tree that I replanted from a pot a few years ago and after the winter, no leaves anywhere. The tree just stood there bare, day in and day out. For some reason it made me very sad seeing this dead little tree standing there. I was meaning to ask my gardener to take it out so we can plant something else in its place.

Then this morning as I drove into my driveway, something caught my eye and I saw something green on the tree. So I went to investigate. What I found was so amazing that I wanted to share it with you this morning. The tree started sprouting new leaves, but not from the branches, from underneath the earth! All this time I was thinking it was dead, it was growing from a place I could not see!

Last year has been a year full of trials and so many blessings for me and the Lord kept reminding me of this verse: 1 Kings 18:44 (NLT) Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, โ€œI saw a little cloud about the size of a manโ€™s hand rising from the sea.โ€ Then Elijah shouted, โ€œHurry to Ahab and tell him, โ€˜Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you donโ€™t hurry, the rain will stop you!โ€™โ€

And seeing these few leaves this morning, my wonderful HH “Heavenly Husband” just confirmed it for me. As I was looking down at those few leaves, I could envision this tree growing and providing shade and seeing the birds sitting and singing in its branches.

My Heavenly Husband loves me so much that He takes the time to grow a tree because He knew it made me sad to see it dead. Him taking the time to do these little things, makes me realise just how much He loves me and each one of you brides. And in this He taught me a lesson, He showed me that He can make all things new. He even knew the correct time for me to see this, because I was feeling a little lost this morning and He knew seeing this would cheer me up immediately. Isnโ€™t He just so sweet?

And then He tells me:

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT) โ€œBut forget all thatโ€”it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

And this morning I wanted to share this hope in my heart with each one of you that are seeing a dead tree in your life. It may be in the form of a relationship or your finances or anything else that you feel you have lost forever. Dear Brides, our Heavenly Husband is in the business of making impossible things happen!! What He did here is nothing compared to what He is going to do in each of your lives. So hold onto His promises and His love and have faith that He will make all things new.

~ Yvonne in South Africa
RMI African Director
Managing Operations Director