"It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain." -Isaiah 4:6
Growing up in tobacco fields, I always looked forward to the end of a row, finishing a field, or snack time. My uncle would bring these delicious honey buns and cold drinks to the fields and still today I wish I could find a honey bun that tasted as good as those did back then. Guess it could have been the fact that the icing was melted from the hot summer heat or maybe honey buns are one of my weaknesses. In addition to the snacks, we would all gather around one of the big oak trees that bordered the field in hopes of a breeze and shade to cool us off. It was refreshing and then it was on to another field or another row, but that oak tree provided shade and comfort for us against the sun for at least a few moments..
Today, in my yard stands a big oak tree, after all Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" ...haha! I like to think back to what that oak tree has seen. I'm sure that oak tree stood way before my neighborhood was dreamed of, and yet it continues to grow each year. Yes, I love this oak tree. My sweet coonhound, Cody, loves it too. He hates going outside. Guess he figures his outside days were tough and now he is going to enjoy the inside life which involves couch sleeping for 22 hours a day.. (He was a rescue, who had been shot and was extremely skinny when I got him.) When it is raining, he runs out the back door and seeks protection under the tree because he HATES getting wet. His sisters are much more high energy and prefer to play in the yard so he patiently waits for them under the oak tree. I, too, find comfort under the oak tree..... seeking its protection from the rain and enjoying the breeze during the blistering summer heat. It's Cody and I's spot to enjoy watching the others dance in the rain and play in the sun.
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, he knows those who takes refuge in him." -Nahum 1:7
I am also amazed during storms how the oaks branches sway, but it remains stable. Deeply rooted in the ground, a constant in my yard. As I think about my faith and God, I compare it to that big oak tree. At different periods in our life, our lives may sway like the branches due to various storms but faith allows our hearts to be like the roots firmly planted in God's garden. Just like the oak tree, God is always there to protect us from the elements and remind us that He is strong and no storm can cause Him to lose His love for us. I am grateful that no matter the storm, I know that I can walk outside and my God is standing tall with arms wide open to protect me. He is always there. Always there to listen. Always there to protect. Always there to bring happiness to our lives. Faith is deeply rooted and can withstand the test of time and any storm.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13
It's about finding the little things in life that remind you daily of our connection with God. Today, as I endured the 100 degree heat to take the doggies out, I looked up in the branches of that oak tree and thanked God for the blessings in my life and for standing tall in my life even during the worst storms. I need those little reminders each day and I am thankful He provides them.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to continue my journey! Faith...Patience... Love... and today Air Conditioning...
Stay cool if at all possible and I'll be praying that everyone's air conditioner is working! Say a prayer for mine too!
Growing up in tobacco fields, I always looked forward to the end of a row, finishing a field, or snack time. My uncle would bring these delicious honey buns and cold drinks to the fields and still today I wish I could find a honey bun that tasted as good as those did back then. Guess it could have been the fact that the icing was melted from the hot summer heat or maybe honey buns are one of my weaknesses. In addition to the snacks, we would all gather around one of the big oak trees that bordered the field in hopes of a breeze and shade to cool us off. It was refreshing and then it was on to another field or another row, but that oak tree provided shade and comfort for us against the sun for at least a few moments..
Today, in my yard stands a big oak tree, after all Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" ...haha! I like to think back to what that oak tree has seen. I'm sure that oak tree stood way before my neighborhood was dreamed of, and yet it continues to grow each year. Yes, I love this oak tree. My sweet coonhound, Cody, loves it too. He hates going outside. Guess he figures his outside days were tough and now he is going to enjoy the inside life which involves couch sleeping for 22 hours a day.. (He was a rescue, who had been shot and was extremely skinny when I got him.) When it is raining, he runs out the back door and seeks protection under the tree because he HATES getting wet. His sisters are much more high energy and prefer to play in the yard so he patiently waits for them under the oak tree. I, too, find comfort under the oak tree..... seeking its protection from the rain and enjoying the breeze during the blistering summer heat. It's Cody and I's spot to enjoy watching the others dance in the rain and play in the sun.
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, he knows those who takes refuge in him." -Nahum 1:7
I am also amazed during storms how the oaks branches sway, but it remains stable. Deeply rooted in the ground, a constant in my yard. As I think about my faith and God, I compare it to that big oak tree. At different periods in our life, our lives may sway like the branches due to various storms but faith allows our hearts to be like the roots firmly planted in God's garden. Just like the oak tree, God is always there to protect us from the elements and remind us that He is strong and no storm can cause Him to lose His love for us. I am grateful that no matter the storm, I know that I can walk outside and my God is standing tall with arms wide open to protect me. He is always there. Always there to listen. Always there to protect. Always there to bring happiness to our lives. Faith is deeply rooted and can withstand the test of time and any storm.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13
It's about finding the little things in life that remind you daily of our connection with God. Today, as I endured the 100 degree heat to take the doggies out, I looked up in the branches of that oak tree and thanked God for the blessings in my life and for standing tall in my life even during the worst storms. I need those little reminders each day and I am thankful He provides them.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to continue my journey! Faith...Patience... Love... and today Air Conditioning...
Stay cool if at all possible and I'll be praying that everyone's air conditioner is working! Say a prayer for mine too!