Redwoods and their lessons
“To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], The oil of joy instead of mourning, The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:3 AMP
I’ve always wanted to see the redwoods in California. A forest of giant trees full of the special scents unique only to a forrest full of scattered rays of sunlight filtered through ancient leaves. I’ve been most uniquely aware of my chronic pain over the last six months when it has been physical but to be honest it’s going on 3 1/2 years of chronic pain of mental and emotional in addition to the physical since losing my grandmother and moving somewhere I knew very little about, less how to properly navigate even with GPS.
This area is so different than what I came from and now this not only applies physically but mentally emotionally and spiritually as well. There are so many things I could list that I need desperate prayer for but like Joseph sold in slavery or Daniel being taken into Babylon and given a different name, I am in a new space with new people, new surroundings, and new challenges.
I read not that long ago that some of the best wines were from vineyards, whose seasons were the driest that year. It makes me wonder about how much more appreciation I have for things like community, having someone make eye contact or even smile at me, solid biblical teaching, the simple things like being able to take a walk or hear the birds. To be seen and realize how much I am blessed to see if I choose to have the eyes to look for it. All of this compels me to ask myself if God is not using this contrast to heighten my sense of my awareness of His faithfulness, sovereignty, and constant presence in my life.
I do not know any of the “whys”, but I can point to instances where I have had interactions with others over this topic of pain in all its various manifestations and be thankful for their depth and sincerity. These conversations would not have happened if it were not for the circumstances I find myself in.
While praying just had God impressed upon me the other day “you know I am closer than the spirit and the soul, than your very breath but I am also closer than the pain.” That hit the deepest and was the most profound.
I do not claim to have any right to be called a tree of righteousness. However, I would say that in my own way, I would desire to be able to look back on this and say that I came out of it with a stronger relationship with my God, to have a stronger assurance in His promises and a closer walk with Him and above all else, that this all would be used for His glory. That I have been uprooted but planted for growth and He promises oil for ashes and joy for mourning; when I don’t know…or maybe it happens little by little every day that I will be able to look back at some point and see more than I do now today.