Pink Story: A Fruitful Tree

As I waited for news of my genetics test and upcoming surgery, my eyes were not on myself.

“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.  They are trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.  Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.  for the Lord watches over the path of the godly.”  

Psalm 1:2-3, 6

Years ago, when I was in high school, I went to a church camp.  I don’t remember when or where.  I only remember what the pastor said.  He preached on Psalm 1.  As he read it he accented the word delight and held it out like he was singing a song.  He talked about being a tree by the river and being faithful, and faithful, and faithful, and faithful and finally being fruitful because it was now the season for fruit.  He talked about being successful in everything we do because the Lord watches over us.  He painted a much better picture than I just did because he was changing his voice all over the place, standing on his chair and accentuating all the important words.  In all my years of going to church and listening to sermons, his is the only one I remember.  I get excited when I hear the words of those verses because they touched me at the time so much and today they still bring comfort.  

My Daddy watches over me and cares for me like no other.  I am planted securely and will always be in bloom.  I am strong because of Him and will not lose my leaves.  All those things may sound funny since I am not a leafy tree planted permanently by a stream, but think about it differently.  Someone who knows and loves me sees me all the time.  He knows what I am going through, he knows my fears, he knows my joys.  He knows what will comfort me and he is the only one with me all the time.  If I feel like I can’t hear Him, I open the Bible and read His words until they speak to me.  He has set me where I am, wherever that may be.  He has given me deep roots in my life and roots in who He is in me so that I will not fall down and no wind or storm can knock me down. He has given me leaves of beauty and potential fruit that won’t wither and die.  Even if I feel naked or weak or feeble, my leaves are a sign of the strength and life I still have.  I can stand firmly by this stream and take it.  I can take whatever comes against me because, ultimately, I am not my own.  I did not make myself strong and I do not have to remain strong.  I am because He is in me.  That all may sound strange.  All I know is that I am not strong enough to take on cancer so every success I have is only because I trust the Father who made me and gives me strength to simply stand each day.