Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

The "Leaning" Pine Trees in our woods before...

and after

"If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth;

And if a tree falls to the south or the north,

In the place where the tree falls, there shall it lie."

Ecclesiastes 11:3

For those of you who have followed my story for the past year and a half, you know that we moved out to the forest and have been living quite the adventure ever since.  From wild bears and snakes, birds and lizards to clapping and dancing trees...and now, falling trees, we never know from one day to the next what new excitement might develop.  The past few weeks we have had pretty much daily thunderstorms, which is normal for August in this part of Florida.  However, it appears to me that the tall pine trees that grow in the national forest surrounding our home seem to be saturated, and suddenly they are starting to crack and fall...three in the past 24 hours, rather astonishingly close to our home.


Obviously this makes me a bit nervous.  Although the majority of the trees are far enough away from our house and leaning in the opposite direction so we do not have too much fear that they will land on the house, but there is no guarantee of that.  Since the trees are not actually on our property, but on government land, we do not have the right to cut them down.  So we are pretty much at their mercy.

I don't like the way this one is leaning toward our house...

I've been trying to pull some kind of spiritual lesson out of all this today...there are plenty of Bible verses about trees, but I couldn't find anything in particular that "spoke to me" today.

Except this thought:  In looking at the pictures above of the trees in the before and after shots, taken about one week apart...I can't help but notice the big bare spot where those two leaning trees once stood.  When I go outside and look in that direction, I am struck by the sheer emptiness of that space, and even though those particular trees were not exactly beautiful or even useful for providing shade in my yard, I notice their loss, and in a way, I even grieve for them.  (Yes, I am a tree hugger...That's why I came to live in the woods).    But I realize this is a natural event...

"All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  Isaiah 40:6-8

Please don't misunderstand...yes, we will all fade and wither away someday.  But our place here on earth will be missed.  There will be a huge void in the hearts of those who love us...an empty space that cannot be filled by anyone else. Those of us who have already lost loved ones understand this all too well.  The empty chair at the table, the loss of that precious voice and laughter and smiling face.


Sure, we can always plant new trees.  And it seems as though in the course of life, new lives come along to fill the void left by those who have gone on before...life goes on somehow.


Here's an old poem I heard once.. (Actually, my husband's grandmother had an old fashioned plaque on her wall that had the refrain of "Only one life, 'twill soon be past...Only what's done for Christ will last" written on it).  It speaks to the purpose of our life here on this earth.  Just like in the verse above that says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever",   I believe this poem expresses the truth of what our life is really all about:

“Two little lines I heard one day, 
Traveling along life’s busy way; 
Bringing conviction to my heart, 
And from my mind would not depart; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, 
Soon will its fleeting hours be done; 
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, 
And stand before His Judgement seat; 
Only one life,’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, 
Gently pleads for a better choice 
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, 
And to God’s holy will to cleave; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, 
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; 
Each with its clays I must fulfill, 
living for self or in His will; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, 
When Satan would a victory score; 
When self would seek to have its way, 
Then help me Lord with joy to say; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, 
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; 
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, 
Pleasing Thee in my daily life; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, 
And from the world now let me turn; 
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, 
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; 
Only one life, “twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, 
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; 
And when at last I’ll hear the call, 
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; 
Only one life,’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, 
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd

How will you be remembered?

How will I be remembered?

Something to think about.

"Cast Your Bread Upon The Waters"

"Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days."  Ecclesiastes 11:1

It was just about one year ago that I was feverishly attempting to write a book.  I honestly thought I had something important to share with the whole world, and I was certain that everyone would be clamoring to receive a copy of my life's story.  I also had been given a wonderful opportunity via a scholarship to attend my very first writer's conference.  All the more reason to believe that I was well on my way to becoming an author of reknown. 

Boy! Was I ever mistaken!!!  Oh, I went to that wonderful conference, and I was full of confidence and hope as I submitted my query to the panel of publishers, certain that mine would be chosen for some kind of grand prize for being the most interesting, unique and dynamic spell-binding story they had ever had the privilege of reading.  What I discovered was, much to my chagrin, on the first day of the conference...well, let's just say that I suddenly realized that I was not God's gift to the waiting publishing world...and worse yet, I was just one of many, many hopeful wannabe authors who most likely had a lot more talent than I...and I definitely had a LOT to learn about writing a book! It was one of the most deflating experiences of my life.

However, I persevered through that whole conference, attended every class I could manage, spoke with every publisher and other budding author I could entrap into a conversation, took myriads of notes and collected every handout and freebie I could fit into my bag for future reference.  I was determined not to become discouraged, but I had to totally reevaluate my whole scheme of writing.  The book idea was put back on the shelf.  It just wasn't the right time for that yet. 

What was I to do with all of that new knowledge and eye-opening experience?  I couldn't just give up on writing, could I?  No, I truly believed that God had instilled that desire to write within my heart, and I knew that HE had a message that He wanted to speak through me in one way or another.  I also reevaluated my motives and goals for writing...was it for personal gain or fame?  Or was it to glorify God and perhaps actually inspire and help others in the process?

As a result of what appeared to me to be a "closed door", i.e.; no book writing for me; I discovered something new on the horizon...an "open window" of opportunity... and I began to write this blog!  Now that was a definite leap of faith!  It was a way of "casting my bread upon the waters"...and praying that God would bring it back to me "after many days"...His way...in His time. 

"In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good." Ecclesiastes 1:6

Little did I know when I started this blog all the things that were about to take place in my life that would influence my writing...and you can go back over this past year and read all about each new event...some good, and some not so good.  Through it all, God has been working behind the scenes, directing me as I wrote, guiding me to passages in the Bible that were encouraging to me...and hopefully to others as well.  He has taught me much about His plan for me and for my writing "career".  No, I still haven't written that book...and I probably never will write that particular book...but I pray that whatever I write will be for His honor and glory...and for your edification. I doubt I will ever be found on the Best Seller list, but that is not my goal or purpose.  This story is my bread...and this blog is the water that carries it...and for now, that's okay with me.  And I believe it is exactly what God had planned all along. 

"As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything." Ecclesiastes 11:5

However...

"For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."  IITimothy 1:12

Therefore, I will keep writing and trusting God to do whatever He so desires with my offering.  May Jesus Christ be praised in all things.  Amen.