April Showers...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

I have done an excessive amount of crying during the month of April. I cried at work (a million times). I cried to my parents. I cried anytime I was in the car. I cried as Pippa-the-Pup licked my face in an effort to soothe me. It was truly cry-fest 2k15.  #drama

Don't we all have seasons like this? I hope so because there is no victory without a battle and everyone should feel the rush of a victory.

NATURE CALLS:  Now, the trees in our backyard are outrageously gorgeous. Every morning I take Pippa out to go potty and for the first few weeks of April this little, white-blossoming apple tree caught my eye. It is totally breath-taking to look out among the sea of green/brown and see this beautiful white tree right smack dab in the middle of it all. 

The more time I spent looking at the tree, the more certain I became that God was using it to talk to me in my season of turmoil. But, what was He trying to say?  Out of all the spring's I've spent living at my parents house and admiring the trees, why was I just now noticing this snow white beauty?

Then it clicked. Do you see the little hot-mess of a tree stub just in front of the fence? That was a full-blown gorgeous pear tree last spring. One day it just fell over. Cause of death... root rot. At this juncture, I could go on and talk about how important it is to develop deep, healthy roots but thats a message for a different day. So, as we hacked that tree into a million pieces and hauled it up the deck for future firewood, I remember thinking how tragic it was that this beautiful fruit bearing tree was no more. I was legitimately sad about it...like crazy nature lady sad. 

THE SILVER LINING: Every piece of the pear tree served a purpose: the wood kept a family warm in the winter, the fruit served as nourishment for all our furry woodland creatures, the continually changing color of the leaves served as inspiration for the soul, and who knows what stories accompany the seedling. 

The pear tree was glorious; however, I'd never noticed the blossoming white tree because it was always blocked. The pear tree had to die in order for the white tree to be revealed. I may not have understood when I was hauling the tree away in tiny pieces but it was not yet time to understand. 

God is always working. 

I'm in a season of root rot. My tree is/has fallen and eventually, when all the branches are cleared, something better, something more beautiful, will be revealed.  

As we walk through seasons of failure, loss, and sadness we can take courage knowing that Spring is coming and the rain is going to wash it all away. When the pear tree tipped over 10 months ago, God knew that the little white apple tree would serve in its place as a fresh reminder of grace. Is that not so comforting? Remember, God formed us before He created us. Let's stop pushing are expectations on him and starting having hope centered in His character. 

Side-note, the pear tree is growing back! It might be a little crooked but seeing those tiny green branches grow bigger and bigger is so encouraging. Grow tree, grow! Another side-note, as I've been writing/molding/shaping this blog post, Mom hacked the tree down again...but I still think it will grow. 

Lots of Love, 

Kate 

"Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it." - Ezra 10.4