Evergreen

I don't know about you, but my little corner of the world was covered in snow this weekend. A glorious five inches of this chilly white stuff. I quite enjoyed it. It's a reminder of winter. Every year this season comes around, stripping trees of their leaves and leaving a white trail behind it. On my way to work this morning I was enjoying the remainders of the snow. There really isn't a whole lot left. It's so awesome to see how awesome God is... how He can paint the sky every morning and night, cover the earth with powdery white snowflakes, and still have time to care for me. It's pretty amazing.

As I sat at a stoplight this morning, I glanced over to a slight hill on my left. There were about five or six trees and what was left of the snow. These five trees were stripped to their bark and were exposed to the elements. They had dropped their leaves months ago and one day will grow more. However, what struck me most was the vivid green that stuck out amidst the brown and white. An evergreen, as green as its name. It made me pause and think on spiritual terms. These trees representing people and the deciduous trees had 'given up.' Things had gotten hard, the going got rough. They were stripped bare of their peace, their comfort, their pride. Forced to stand open and alone against the cold wind.

Yet here was the evergreen, clothed, warm, and protected. It reminded me of how Christians can be. God has promised us that He's never going to leave us. When hard times come and everyone else starts 'dropping their leaves', God's right there to help us get through. We don't need to stress over having clothes, food, or shelter. We know that God's going to protect us, just as He promised. Luke 12:22-30 reminds us,

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs."

He's promised never to leave us nor forsake us. We can hold tight to that promise and remember that He's in control. He will take care of us. What a relief!!