Follow my gaze. I pull behind a truck at a red light.
Smoke billows out the driver's window.
A woman is squished in the back, forced to turn her body sideways for leg room.
The edge of a carseat pokes out of the top of the passenger side seat.
In the bed of the truck there is a folded up wheelchair.
My hearts asks, "Do you know Him?"
My heart is learning the discipline to not just wonder, but to surrender to the one who knows.
"Lord, reveal Yourself to this little family. I pray for people in their lives to draw them to You. If they know You, Lord, let them be strengthened in You."
The woman in the parking lot, with the fancy hat and the crazy shoes. She's riding in one of those motorized shopping carts. Her offbeat style makes me smile. She's crossing the parking lot and you can see in her facial expression she is willing the cart to go faster. She glances up at me apologetically. I smile. Lord, does she know You?
Driving home, I take the back way. Light rain spatters on my windshield. Debris from the windy rainy day covers the roads. Light branches, sticks, pine needles, nothing that would stop traffic. The wind, I thought, hadn't been extreme by any means. Still, it managed to thin out some trees of what had evidently died enough, becoming detached from its source of nutrients.
Suddenly, Jesus words come to mind about how the Lord cuts off any branches of the vine that do not bear fruit. Always, I had pictured a farmer, clippers in hand, snapping off dead branches. Truthfully, it was more like when a gardener trims back roses or bushes, that will grow back healthier. That is what visually came to mind, though I realize now the error of it. But always I imagined an intentional cut, never picturing (until today) that the Farmer could use alternative methods, should He desire. Perhaps He often does. A light storm is so effective. A test of strength. A brush with adversity. Who will be left standing? Only the ones connected to a True source of strength. Isn't that how our God works? Like seed that has been scattered and taken root. For some the roots were shallow, therefore, easily removed. But others reach deep, their roots are strong from nutrient rich soil. These shall endure, persevere, and bear fruit.
Lord, guide me in your ways, that I might stand firm through life's storms, having endured what life throws at me. And when I have done so, and others wonder how I was able to not be uprooted, Lord, I will tell them of You, my source of strength, my ever present Help in times of need. May You receive all glory and honor!
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