Encouragement

Encouragement comes at just the right time. My great aunt sent me a card (thank you, by the way, to everyone who has sent cards and emails. I read them and re-read them, and they constantly bring me joy). I thought this card was particularly appropriate, and so I am sharing it with you:

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree's leaves away,
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak tree was tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"
The oak tree said, "I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away,
Shake my limbs, and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
Growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
They are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew."

Thank you, Lord, for being my roots, my rock, my foundation. I know I could never do this on my own. You have sent me people and songs and verses and letters that have given just the right encouragement and love and laughter at just the right times. You know me better than I know myself and You have prepared my way and provided for my weaknesses. I love You, Lord, and I pray I can glorify Your name no matter what I may face next.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:25-26

"I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." ~Spurgeon