The aged apple tree stretched toward the heavens with its thin, finger-like branches. It grew on the forest’s edge surrounded by pine, oak, and hemlocks — growing despite its conditions, which was quite obviously a happenstance, a surprise to its forest shadows … a reflection of God’s goodness and grace.
in the autumn light, my eye saw something new
I watched this tree throughout the seasons — its burst of fresh green in the spring, blossoms like delicate voile against the rough and aged bark. Summer delivered apples embellishing the forest’s edge with the ornamental color of ruby and feeding the deer grazing below.
And now, as autumn has its last hoorah before winter’s chill, my eye saw something new …
The sun shone brightly on Chestnut Hill as I walked in the noon of the day. The apple tree, dwarfed by the towering pines, rested in the shade. But the sun — as only the sun can do — squeezed its radiant beams through the forest canopy and lit up the fingertips of the apple tree. Once more I could see God’s hand of grace in the lonely tree.
There, on the ends of the sky-high branches, remained apples — fruit from another season, another time.
But the light gave them new life.
The light presented a new beauty in this season of rest.
could the light of His presence make all things new?
I thought of my own winter season. Evidence of fruit and God’s faithfulness in my life abounds, yet at times the fruit seems to be leftover, rather than fresh and new. Could it be that as I lift my hands to heaven like the apple tree, the light of the One I love will break through the canopy of shadows and illuminate His beauty within me? His bountiful grace sustaining and preserving me?
Could it be the light of His presence that makes all things new?
Perhaps it is the light of His presence that makes all things beautiful in His time.
“I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” ~ Psalm 27:13-14
I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness through all seasons of our lives. He is steadfast. Constant. A sure place when a canopy of shadows surrounds us and we question our purpose in the whole scheme of things.
God’s grace is a beautiful gift
A season of rest is full of His purpose. Roots grow deep. His grace upon grace strengthens us, and fruit from another season, another time remains.
It may be hidden in the shadows, but once the light of His presence breaks through, evidence of the Spirit’s fruit in our lives is illuminated. It hasn’t gone anywhere.
It remains … waiting for spring and the touch of His grace.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
