A Large Lesson from a Little Tree

Recently, God taught me a large life lesson from a little cherry tree in my front yard. It only stands about five or six feet tall. It looks like the cherry tree version of the fir tree in Charlie Brown's Christmas. We had to use a stake that is tied closely beside it to keep it from falling.
Over the last several months, God has put alot of broken hearted people in my path. They are beautiful people, but they are hurt and beaten up by life. They are fragile and finding it difficult to stand on their own right now. They are like that little cherry tree. They need a stake tied closely to them to hold them up, to keep them grounded and to point them toward heaven, where the God of all creation can pour down everything they need to strengthen and grow them...until one day, they won't need that stake to hold them up anymore. When that day comes, we can untie them and stand back and just admire the breathtaking beauty of who they are in Him, healthy and strong.
Look around you. There is probably someone you know who needs a strong stake to stand beside them and help hold them up. There are alot of hurting people out there. God might be calling you to be their stake. Stay close to them, call them, take them to lunch or coffee. Just be the hands and feet of Jesus. This is what He meant when He said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."-Mark 12:31.
Maybe you feel more like the little tree right now. Maybe you feel weak and fragile and you need someone to stand by you. First, know that you are never alone. The God of the universe hears your cries. Psalm 34:18 gives us the comfort of this promise,"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Like the little tree, keep reaching up to Him. Pray for Him to send someone to be your stake during this storm.
That little tree is very special to me and my family. It was given to us in memory of our daughter, Sarah, who died from leukemia. We treasure that tree. No matter how small or weak it may look to other people, it is the most beautiful tree in the world to us. God sees you that way. No matter what you may look like to anyone else, you are His beloved treasure. Trust in His great love for you. Stop now and listen to the song on this blog, "How He Loves". Imagine that, He loves YOU that much! Run into His arms, He is waiting just for you...