Saturday, October 13, 2012

Resting in His Branches


Let God's promises shine on your problems.  ~Corrie ten Boom


Within a week after the parsonage RB and I were living in was destroyed in the fire which caused our Sarah's death, the church congregation banded together to tear the house down.  It was a barren sight. The senior pastor's parsonage, the church, the school and our parsonage sat in sort of a square, so the bleak bareness greeted us from every angle.



It was a long fall and winter of grief--the lowest part of our life together. Days filled with questions about how we could make it, a deep despair coloring our days.   Our loving church family began building us another home -- on a vacant portion of the campus that faced the opposite direction. However, every time we looked towards the "old house" the the bareness greeted us, even when the snow melted and Spring appeared.  One day the following summer, my flower-loving husband asked me to come look at something.  There in the barrenness was a perfect August lily.

That first lily was a promise to RB and me.  Oh, the pain didn't go away, but light crept through the broken pieces of our heart. And, for the next two years, that lily bloomed, and was joined with a second and third lily. 


In Ezekiel 17 we read of a nation who was grieving.  It was the lowest part of  Israel's history.  They lost their glory.  They were in despair.  Jerusalem had fallen to the Babylonians, their temple burned, their king killed and thousands had been taken captive.  It was into this grief-stricken people Ezekiel was sent with a message of hope--a tree will be planted.




God planted a small shoot on a high mountain which soon grew into greatness. The Bible tells us that birds would build nests in the tree's branches and find shade. And so God's Son, Jesus, was born. A tiny baby, but not for long. Just as the cedar on the mountain grew to greatness, so Jesus grew--sheltering others, dying for sins, rising from the grave.  

I don't know what your level of despair is today, but I do know that God sees your heart.  You may not find a lily, but God has a message of hope for you--the same hope of Israel--a Tree whose branches will shelter your heart. Rest in His branches, He's sturdy enough to hold the heaviest of burdens. 

Infertility 
  
     Depression

          Financial crisis  
        
               An unfaithful spouse

                    The death of a child
                         
                          Physical disease 

                               Undisciplined sin

                                     Wounded spirit

Fly to the branches of God's faithfulness, His love, His peace and His forgiveness.  He's calling, Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. And that is a promise God will fulfill.  


 
      

28 comments:

Esther Asbury said...

Thank you Pam, for sharing this post tonight - I needed it! You even shared a favorite verse of mine: "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." ---- And He does!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hello Pamela, After a long day of doing home repairs/chores, I am relaxing at my computer and had some time to peruse some of your posts about Sarah. I was not aware of your great loss. This is such an encouraging post. I have been in Ezekiel for the past weeks as I follow Alistair Begg's daily devotional by Spurgeon and Begg's family reading plan.

A blessing stopping by to visit with you!
Kindly, Lorraine

Anonymous said...

that right friend..we have to rest in christ..he is the only one..thanks for sharing this beautiful words..loves soraya

Breathing In Grace said...

Oh, Ms. Pamela, I didn't realize your loss. The quill paper sheltering tree is just lovely and what a precious friend to make that for you. I saw on your "about me" page that you've been married 35 years...that's the same number of years for my hubby and me. Thank you for writing these encouraging words.

A Magical Whimsy said...

What an amazing post, Pamela. It is astounding how God's children will come to the rescue to those who are in need. And the Lord himself comes to our aid in our time of need too.
I like your Corrie ten Boom quote. The book 'The Hiding Place' should be read by all of us again as we may be facing similar circumstances as the world becomes more of a hostile place for Christians. We have had it easy in America as far as persecution is concerned, but that seems to be changing and our unalienable rights as citizens of this country are slowly being eroded and taken away from us. May God help us all to be a beacon, and a light shining in a dark place as the journey progresses.
May you have a blessed week,
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

Karin said...

Thanks for sharing the experiences of God's faithfulness, love, peace in your life! Beautifully written!

joy said...

A very touching post and really worth reading and sharing!
I share my thoughts about God's words or what I hear from God too in my blog: willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com

Have a blessed Sunday!

Rebecca said...

Your most grievous experience shared along with the comfort of God's Word and Presence are "trees", too--in which all who are heavy with stress and burdens can find shelter, hope, and courage!

Thanking God for YOU today, Pamela!

BelovedBomber said...

What a precious word...one of pain and despair wrapped in the hope and grace of our God. Thank you for being so open and real. Many blessings!

OurCrazyFarm said...

Beautiful post, Pamela! Such wonderful promises to keep our eyes on Jesus who has a glorious plan beyond what we can imagine, even when things may seem so painful in the midst of our trials here. Thank you for sharing, the steadfast faith that God has given you has encouraged me this morning.

Debbie said...

This post is so inspiring and spirit filled, I know it will greatly encourage and bless many. I am so sorry for your great loss, but soo grateful you were willing to share the hope and mercy our God provided you when you needed it so.

Dorothy said...

Beautiful reminder for us Pamela. We need to be reminded now and then. Of course, when we are at our lowest point, we turn to God, but we should also turn to Him in praise when we are on the mountaintops.
I am so sorry about your daughter!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Thanks for sharing about this season of your life. I love your phrase ... fly to Jesus.

Grateful for your lily.

myletterstoemily said...

i am so sorry to hear of your great loss
but grateful for the encouragement
you brought us through it.

Unknown said...

What a sweet gift from God - truly beauty from ashes. Have a blessed Sunday for Spiritual Sunday.

Mary Ann said...

I am so sorry, II was not aware of the tragic loss of your daughter. I can not imagine the loss of a child, I just can't imagine that type of pain and heartbreak. Thank goodness you took all those pictures.I'm glad you took them too. God Bless!

Anonymous said...

I was not aware of your loss either. I appreciate you sharing this reassuring post so wonderfully written.

Terra said...

I was not aware of your deep loss, and admire your courage in carrying on, and flying to the shelter of God's branches.

Life and Breath and Everything Else said...

This post brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry for your loss. I was encouraged in your words - encouragement I really needed. Thank you.

Denise said...

Bless you for such a beautiful, encouraging post.

Marianne said...

Thank you, and God bless you.

Ruth said...

So glad you found comfort and hope in that sheltering Tree , in a very difficult time. Thank you for passing on to us what He gave to you. Many blessings.

Cathy said...

Oh, Dear, that is so sad. And I read the sweet letter your husband wrote, and saw her precious picture. Thanks for sharing with us and for your encouragement. Hugs

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Pamela, my condolences on your great loss. You're so right, God is able to sustain us, when we allow.

Esther Joy said...

Beautifully written from your heart, Pamela.

Blessings and love,
Esther

Unknown said...

Wow, thank you for your willingness to share your pain with us. Thankful with you for the hope you have found through the darkness.

Colleen said...

Oh this is heart rending to read. Thank you for sharing it in such a way that the grace of God shines forth. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this hopeful post. I am so sorry for your devastating loss. Yes, you were indeed shipwrecked. God's grace shines through your every word. Blessings to you today.