There is an old dead tree on the Casa property that has been dead for a long time. It should have probably been cut down a long time ago, but it has been performing a special function for a long while…. It holds up one end of a hammock! The people that use the hammock are loath to cut it down, because it really is a great spot to have a hammock! There is ample shade, usually a light breeze and it has a great view of the Orphanage soccer field, part of the city, and the mountains beyond!
One day I had a few spare minutes before I needed to round up the boys and head to soccer practice. So I lay down in the hammock to rest my bones! As I enjoyed the shade, breeze and view, and listened to the birds sing, I suddenly noticed a small green spot on the tree that I hadn’t noticed before. I had to get up for a closer inspection! Yes! My eyes did not deceive me. There it was, a green shoot coming out of this long dead tree! It almost brought me to tears as I reflected on the many lessons to be learned from this!
First, as a Christian I was reminded of the verses in Ephesians 2. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…. we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
We, like that tree were dead! Used up! Fit for nothing but the fire! Then when all hope was lost, God’s love gave us new life through Jesus Christ!
Secondly, those that are involved with Casa de Ninos have been afforded the great privilege of seeing this kind of thing happen with children! They often times come to us completely broken and used up. A mere husk of what a healthy child is supposed to look like. You look after their physical needs, feed bathe and clothe them, and during it all, you show them love! As they feel this love and care being lavished upon them (often for the first time in their lives!), they begin to transform into something beautiful! It chokes me up to see a child running and laughing, who just a short time ago was withdrawn and hurting.
So, take a lesson from an old tree, and thank God for His mercy and grace towards us who are undeserving!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 God bless! ~Kevin~
RSS Feed
