More Than Meets the Eye

I think of so many things each time I see this picture. I knew the minute I snapped it that I would some day write a devotion for it. I've wanted to draft it on at least a few occasions, but the timing has just never been quite right. Until this morning. I was blessed to have a wonderful moment with the Lord where He suddenly made it all crystal clear to me.

My first thought when I came upon this tree was, "Oh, Lord, this speaks to me! I think that I must know exactly what it feels like to live out this particular visual." You see, this tree is exposed. Uncovered. Vulnerable. Its roots should be buried securely beneath the soil, and yet they are out in the open and unprotected.

Do you ever feel that way? I always remind myself that God is my perfect covering, but that doesn't always stop those nagging thoughts. "I feel vulnerable. I don't feel safe. I feel exposed rather than covered. This doesn't feel good!" I have to mentally gather myself and will myself to trust that the Lord is, in fact, in control. Though I don't always feel it, He is covering me in a most loving and perfect way. He loves me, knows me through and through, and is interested in every detail of my life. And so the mental tug of war continues, "You are so precious to Him, Tamra. Trust Him that everything will be okay. Don't be afraid of what may come. He will prove Himself to be faithful no matter what comes your way."

The Lord brought this picture back to my remembrance this morning as I spent some time with Him. The same thoughts came to me about the tree roots being bared and how I can relate to feeling that way so often. And then the Lord spoke to my heart. I could feel Him impressing upon me the truth of that picture and the reason why I have been so drawn to it from that first moment. Why it has resonated in such a way within me. As is often the case, what He meant to teach me is nothing like what I thought He wanted to teach me.

He showed me this morning that what I can see with this tree's roots is only part of the picture. With perfect gentleness, He whispered, "Daughter, what you see here is not the reality of the matter. There is so much that your eyes cannot see. (Wow!) These are not the only roots that this tree has." I went on to do a little research on the matter and discovered that the roots grow in varying depths and directions. The roots that are shown in this picture probably only make up a very small percent of this tree's root structure. The reality is that this tree is way more secure than I realized. In all likelihood, it has many roots running horizontally in the first two feet of soil for quite a distance. I was surprised to discover how firmly anchored this tree probably is, which was totally not what I was assuming.

As I meditated on these thoughts throughout my day, I was reminded of the story of Elisha and the Arameans in 2 Kings 6. Though surrounded by hostile forces, Elisha told his servant, "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them." One of my favorites parts of the Bible comes next: "And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." They were not nearly as vulnerable as the servant believed them to be based on what he could see! The LORD showed up for them with a mighty display of His power. I am learning more each day, and am becoming convinced, that things are rarely the way I see them.

Thank You, Lord, for speaking to me today about this picture that has been on my heart for a while now. You are awesome! I thought I understood what it meant, but You had something totally different in mind. I love how You are always patiently teaching me what You want me to know. Help me to remember that seeing is not always believing. Lord, I want to consistently look to You for the reality of my situation! I pray that You will continue speaking to me, teaching me, and drawing me deeper into Your Word. Cause my heart to never stop seeking You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

The Beauty Within

On a recent hike with friends, one of the moms asked if I had ever looked inside a sycamore fruit. I guess I had never thought to break one open before. When I did, I could have cried. It's an amazingly intricate design that resembles a honeycomb. It so obviously points to our Creator, and I'd had no idea.

This image of the sycamore fruit was still with me the next day as I heard more whispering from the Lord. In the same way that He placed this amazing sight in this fruit, He has tucked away beauty inside each of us. He has lovingly hand-crafted each of us, the crown of His creation. If He cared enough to make the inside of this sycamore fruit a thing of beauty, I am awed by what He must have done in each of us. It was just another of those moments where He reassured me about the way that He sees me - how special I am to Him and the worth He has assigned to me.

Touch-me-not

What does God tell me when I look at the Touch-me-not? Certainly, I think of my need to not touch sin, or else risk giving the devil a foothold in my life. On an emotional level, though, I am reminded of my childhood. I look back now and think of what a sight I must have been. Just a frightened scraggly little girl. I lived in THAT house where the music could be heard blaring all the way down the street, police visits were frequent, and drug deals abounded. Knotted hair and stained clothing. No idea of what it was like to have a traditional family or parents who had any time for me. Oh, it's not that I wasn't loved - I know that I was. It's just that Dad had his own life apart from us and mom had to work so very hard to take care of us.

I think that others surely must have seen my neediness. I imagine that they may have been full of disdain at the idea of getting their hands "dirty" in having dealings with me. So they looked the other way. This is a pet peeve of mine in the Body. How many times are we afraid of getting our hands dirty doing Kingdom work? I thank God that He, in His infinite mercy, brought a few special teachers into my life. They didn't seem to mind if I left smudges on their lives. Their investment in me helped me in more ways than I can list here.

Do you know what's fascinating about the Touch-me-not? When its seedpod is touched, it will burst open, throwing seed in all direction. My life was touched by these teachers. Like the flower, I have been able to expel the seeds that He has planted deep in my soul. They go where He directs them and are used for His purposes. It thrills me to know that He has plans for me and that He has a part for me to play in other people's lives. How thankful I am that those teachers were not afraid to get their hands dirty by touching my life!

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Dying

I had changed my profile picture not too long ago to this one of the wildflower Indian Pipe. It is quite a unique flower in that it always appears white because it lacks chlorophyll and cannot produce its own food. It receives its nourishment from dead or decaying plant materials. Indian Pipe is also known as Corpse Plant. Its bright white color reminds me somewhat of bones, giving me a visual reminder of this second name. It would certainly never be mistaken for a beauty in a traditional kind of way. I do think that it is strangely beautiful, if not a bit odd.

Some of my best "conversations" with God have been when He speaks to me through His awesome creation. In the midst of recent spiritual warfare, God pointed out to me that I, like this flower, would have to associate myself with death. Some things need to die in me. Praise God that some things are dying in me as I fight on. We tend to have a fear of death and pain, but it produces such beauty and freedom if we will just entrust ourselves to Him. Have I loved the dying moments I have encountered? Certainly not! I could not run away fast enough. My loving Father, though, has a wonderful way of getting me alone with Him and lavishing me with His love and faithfulness. He is so extraordinarily patient with me as I fear the kind of surrender that He is waiting for, but each small "death" along the way draws me nearer to that goal.

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Unwinding

I've lately been blessed to spend much time outside gardening. There never seems to be a shortage of things to learn from Him on these occasions. Today found me pulling weeds, moving plants around, and pulling out ivy. Any of these could have served as a teachable moment from the Lord, but there was one instance that I heard Him most in. It was the morning glories.

We noticed the very first one opened this morning, which made me resolve to get them a bit straightened out. You see, they are growing all among the other plants in the bed. I set about painstakingly unwinding the ones that had wrapped themselves all around our dill, lilies, evening primrose, liatris, and other things. Once it was finally freed, I would transplant it near my fence where it could climb and wind around as much it it liked. Oh, was it a tedious task!

A friend had recently shared how the Lord takes such tiny detail in caring for us and directing us. I began thinking about these wild morning glories and seeing how I can be just as bad as them. How many times have I wrapped myself around people, situations, or ideas? During those times, He lovingly unwinds me, saying, "Child, wrap your life around me for I am the only source of true security and satifaction." He knows it would go such much better for me if I would just follow through in this way. How He must long for me to entwine my life with Him and rest in His love.

Help me, Lord, to wrap my life around You. I want to think of You first thing each morning and last thing each night. Cause my soul to cling to You so that I am utterly enthralled by Your presence. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Hiding

A friend recently asked for help identifying spots on her lavender that looked like spit. I searched the recesses of my mind for the needed information that I stored away last summer. It had been during a Nature For Kids hike through the Metroparks. The naturalist had pointed out little bubbly globs on several plants that looked like spit. She explained that there was a little insect inside, appropriately named the spittlebug.

I began looking up details about this bug to share with my friend. As it turned out, the bug blows the bubbles using sap from the plant. Neither the "spit", nor the insect are terribly harmful to the plant.  The bubbles are a wonderful defense mechanism for the bug, allowing it to hide and feed under the foam for protection from predators and the heat.

While learning about this, I began hearing the Lord speak to me about hiding. Basically, the spittlebug is creating a smokescreen to hide behind and make life easier. Do I do that? I generally try to be fairly transparent with those I come into contact with. It is one of my pet peeves when people slap a happy face on and act like life is grand even if it's not.

Being real with one another is one of the best ways to build up the Body. The encouragement it can offer is two-fold. First, it can allow each party to see that they aren't the only one who's ever felt this way or walked this path. Secondly, it is a wonderful form of accountability. Sharing enables others to encourage us to get back on the path if we have strayed. We can and should do the same for them.

I've continued to think upon this insect and its way of protecting itself. In what ways do I attempt to protect myself? Perhaps I do okay in the transparency area, but what of the different areas concerning fear in my life? Have I grown comfortable hiding behind all of my fears, rather than stepping out in obedience to Him, the ultimate Protector?

Lord, forgive me for attempting to seek out my own protection when You are more than willing to keep perfect watch over me. Remind me that nothing can come into my life except that which You have lovingly allowed. Help me to see that, come what may, Your grace truly is sufficient. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Undivided Heart

I recently brought a beautiful Bleeding Heart plant home from a perennial sale. I knew that my girls would adore it and it reminds me to pray for a very special lady I know. I couldn't be happier with this newest addition to our flower garden.

Sometime last week I came across a scripture scribbled on a piece of scrap paper in my Bible. I couldn't wait to see what it said and quickly thumbed my way to Psalm 86:11. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Hmmm.... that got me thinking. What does an undivided heart look like? Just what does that mean?

First and foremost, I guess it would mean that I should seek after God wholeheartedly. I suddenly began examining each little part of my heart. How was I doing? Was I really putting Him first? Was my heart truly undivided? As I meditated on that passage, I began to realize that any time I allow something "iffy" into my life, my heart becomes divided. At that very moment I have taken a piece of my heart that is rightfully His and given it to someone or something else. Ouch! I don't want to do that.

Next, I began thinking of the passage with marriage in mind. Am I allowing anything into my mind that is causing my marital heart to become divided? Is disrespect present? Am I putting his needs before my needs? Am I loving him for who he is, strengths and weaknesses alike? Am I doing the things he asks of me, his helpmate?

I think I can do better in both respects.

Father, thank you for speaking to me about my heart. I love that You care enough about me to have these "conversations" with me. It helps me to feel that You are with me. How very precious You are to me! Please help me to always be sensitive to what You are telling me. I do want to have an undivided heart so that I may fear your name. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.