Encouraging the Faith

 By:  Doreen Gentry-Davis

Winter Wonderland

 

  As all of you know, the beginning of Winter  has left its undeniable impression on all of us in the form of snow, snow and more snow.  For those of us living in Ohio and surrounding states, the blizzard effects of the season have left many of us without utilities and home comforts.   But even it that, God is still faithful.

  The other day while slowing moving about the city, I became amazed with the trees and how they glistened with ice.  Actually, they looked like diamonds.  My attention was drawn to a gathering of trees that were standing in the middle of a snow covered field.  They appeared to be young or newly planted and I noticed that the weight of the ice had caused several of their limbs to bend toward the ground.

  In the middle of the younger trees, stood a tall Oak.  Looking at it, I immediately realized that unlike the younger ones, the Oak had seen many winters and was unshaken by the inclimate weather.  It seemed to glisten the brightest.  I also notice that the weight of the ice had no affect on its limbs and their upright position had not changed.  I again marveled at what appeared to be a lifeless or bearing no leaves, could be so beautiful.  How was it that the Oak was able to stand so erect with his branches lifted toward heaven while covered with so much ice, with so much weight?  How was it when others around it had loss limbs, the Oak remained in tact?  Was it teaching the others?  What mature beauty!

  While yet in awe of this Winter Wonderland, I began to imagine that’s how God must see us.  He must see us as diamonds even in the seasons, when to us, it feels like winter.  Perhaps to Him, we glisten when is all around us is devastation, yet we keep on praying.  God must know that even when we feel like our prayers mimic the branches of the younger trees, that one day if we hold fast to our faith, that soon the winter will pass, the ice will melt, and our branches will again reach toward Heaven.

  Then I heard, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”  Right then, the ice fell off my praise, I throw up my hands and began to thank God for my soon coming season.  I blessed Him for reminding me, that I had not withered and that He had for me, an expected end.