Do you remember the big
storm that blew through our Camden County area in June 2010? Residents say it
was a tornado, officials never labeled it that. However, if you drove through
the Berlin area, you certainly would say that a tornado blew through. Fencing
ripped out of the ground, siding was missing from houses and some houses the
homeowners had to leave because the upstairs floors collapsed! Chairs were
thrown into windows. My friends shed was picked up and laid back down on the
back, so the doors were facing the sky! Now that’s crazy and one fierce storm!
One of the things they kept
rolling through my mind over and over was how I perceived some of the bigger
trees to be strong and steady, not easily blown over when a storm came along.
To my surprise, some of the biggest, most beautiful trees that seemed healthy
to the untrained eye were split in half, toppled over, and destroyed. Some of
the trees that weren’t destroyed were still damaged, missing branches and tree
debris all over or just completely bent to the side, still to this day not
standing upright.
Today, you will see a tree
stump where once a big, beautiful tree stood. One of my favorite trees on the
White Horse Pike has been diminished to a tree stump. The tree stood tall,
towering over the house that shared the property. Every Christmas the owners
decorated the tree with Christmas lights. It was beautiful, full of healthy
branches and greens. Every time I drove by this tree, I always admired it. I
was completely shocked when it was taken down, completely down, by this
unofficial tornado storm. Now when I drive by all I see is this fallen down,
split tree that no one was tending to.
All of these trees,
healthy, beautiful, strong, broken, destroyed reminded me of people. I felt God
speaking to my heart saying “Many of my people are like this, appearing strong
on the outside but inside they are ready to fall apart when a storm comes their
way. You may see these people at church or work, social events, and many more
places. They say everything is “fine”, but in reality they are not.” I thought
how many people stand tall, strong and give the impression of their
beauty/masculinity and strength. When really on the inside there is a storm
going on and they are being kicked around, kicked down, thrown all over the
place ready to split, ready to fall.
I wondered how long it was
going to take for these broken and destroyed trees to be care for. When was
someone going to come and clean them up? Many of the trees laid there for
weeks, with no attention. I thought how many times has that happened to people?
The trees that were still
standing but missing branches reminded me of how Jesus is the gardener and I am
the tree. He trims my branches so I can continue to grow healthy. John 15
I think that’s why I love
encouraging people so much. Because, really no matter how we perceive a person,
sometimes we really don’t know the spiritual battle going on within them. I
believe that is why it is so important to encourage people in God’s word.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making
allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 So encourage
each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1
Thessalonians 5:11
Let's
Reflect: O
LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our
salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm
73:26
PRAYER: Oh,
Sovereign Lord, how great you are! Your strength is made perfect in my
weakness. Be with me, uplift me and fill me with your joy and peace. In the
name of Jesus Christ.
Be Blessed…Be Bold in the
name of Jesus!
Suzanne Williams
