A number of years ago a gigantic pine tree uprooted and crashed on the south side of our house. A mighty wind pulled it right out of the ground. It was amazing and quite terrifying afterwards realizing that it could have easily fallen north instead of east (which would have crushed the house and probably us). It left behind a very ugly root ball -- the roots stick out of it like snakes. I have tried to reimagine it as something else -- like maybe I could paint it or whatever -- but nothing comes to mind. It is just ugly. And it hasn't moved because it is so darn heavy. Shannon thought dragging it through the grass would tear it all up, so it has stayed where it was put by the wind. Yet, every year I think about how ugly it is; an eyesore. I mean, I really do try and make my yard (at least this part) |
It has sat there year after year.
Through the last several months I have come to realize it is important. Our friend Winston, the great-horned owl, has sat on it. Songbirds sit on it. My rooster Ernie perched on it all night, every night, one summer. It is loved by my feathered friends. This morning a very fat robin perched on the top stick fluffing his feathers and grooming himself.
I don't mind it now. It has a purpose. When ugly has a purpose, it is beautiful.
I would have gotten rid of it immediately if I had been able. And I would have missed out on the joy I receive every morning watching birds perch on its roots.
We humans get in such a rush. We want things to be just so that at times we lose out on God's intended blessings for us.
God is always on time, but he is never in a rush. Why hasn't that problem in your life been solved? God is working on it. He knows what needs to happen within you and the entire situation. God puts this life together perfectly. He manages all the people and the things and the creatures -- everything. When we get out of the way and let God work, we can wait to be amazed at how he works things together.
Another example: our son Hawken. He turns 25 this fall. His life hasn't changed much since he was 4 months old (except for facial hair!). He still has seizures daily. He still is fed by me or Shannon. He still needs changing several times a day. He still doesn't talk. He still cannot walk or sit without assistance. We have prayed and prayed for his healing. He has seen doctors all over. No human has any answers. He has a vagus nerve stimulator for seizures along with three seizure medications he takes a few times a day. I would say he is happy most of the time. He and I read a lot. He likes to roll back and forth on his futon mattress. He loves chocolate. But at times, I say to Shannon, "What is the purpose of all these seizures?"
I mean, how are they glorifying God? How can they be part of God's plan? But they are. I don't understand it. God doesn't promise understanding here on earth. We just know he is good and the same today, yesterday and forever. He is always faithful. And so, we know that how Hawken is, is being used by God for his purposes.