It seemed to all happen so quickly....
The silver maple tree on the west side of our house was a fast growing tree which is why my mother planted it. She needed that shade for the hot summer afternoons. It did indeed grow fast, but recently I noticed a problem at the very top.
Recently, I happened to look at it from inside the house and saw a dead branch at the very top. At the very top? How does that happen? I suppose insects, disease, interior rotting, etc? It happens, but you can’t see it when it is taking place. I’m sure this infestation has been occurring for quite a while, but who knew? I certainly couldn’t see it.
Our next-door neighbor had a tree fall in his back yard from the high winds recently so we talked with the tree service man who came to remove his tree. We all agreed that it would be better to go ahead and take it down rather than let the roots potentially cause damage to the house exterior and simply continue to die.
We thought he would take it down the next day, but he finished up our neighbor’s work quickly that evening and then removed our tree. We weren’t at home so we didn’t see the process, but when we walked home that evening and came in view of the house, it was dramatic. What a difference in the looks and landscape without the silver maple. The west side of the house is in full view now.
For me, it is a huge loss because that tree gave me so many messages – at least 4 that I have remembered. God used that tree for purpose, especially in the first 2-3 years of writing. Every morning I looked at that tree as I exercised on the elliptical machine.
We are not sure what we will do next, but there is plenty of time for researching new trees or perhaps a bird bath sitting on the stump with flowers surrounding it. A season has come to an end, and a new season will begin for me personally and for our church. Our congregation is stepping into a new season. We are excited and are anticipating what plans God has for us and what He will be asking us to do.
Perhaps Kristen Dang’s blog post states it the best:
We do not enter a new season on our own accord, but it is God who calls us. It is our 'yes' to Him that allows us to step into it, and our willingness to surrender that enables us to experience it.
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." (Isaiah chapter 43, verse 19)
A new season brings new revelation, new testimonies, new testings and new victories. The old is not forgotten, but built upon; the new waits for us to discover it, and God Himself leads us through it.
I thank God for the season of messages He brought to me from that silver maple tree. What’s next, God? Keep me moving forward to follow You and share Your Word with others!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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