Sometimes when everything else is stripped away, we can see a little clearer.

I drive by these woods every day, sometimes multiple times. But for most of the year, I can’t see the morning sun. It’s only in the winter months, when the leaves have fallen and the trees are left bare that I can see through the gray of the trees to the warm glow of that rising orb in the sky.

I’m thinking sometimes in life, when things are stripped away, we are able to see what’s always been there, but maybe haven’t noticed. Sometimes being laid bare precipitates a ‘back to basic’ deep-breath-sigh that helps us remember what we maybe know deep down, but need to remember on the surface level.

I’m not sure if any of you are feeling ‘laid bare’ in your life. It sure has been a year of loss and stripping away so much for so many people this year. My hope is that in the midst of the loss, that our eyes would be clear of distractions and help us see the important things that are true, truths that deeply encourage and things that change us for the good, and ultimately bless others in the process. I so believe that God allows us such freedom of choice, but will use anything we bring to Him.

Sometimes empty hands might be the best gift we have because we realize our need. Sometimes empty hands can help us recognize some things and help us lift our hearts and hands to the One who gives us all things in the first place.

Being laid bare isn’t so bad for trees–it’s that dormant period of r—e—s—t and rejuvenation. Then comes the readiness of Spring when growth kind of explodes again. I don’t want to waste the seasons in my life when I’m feeling a bit laid bare. Nope, I want to use those times to r–e–s–t in heart and mind, and refocus my eyes on what’s important so that when the season is over, it’s not wasted but has done a lasting work that changes perspective.

I loved seeing the sun peek through the trees. The temperature didn’t change, but it warmed my heart and encouraged me to see the beauty through the trees on a cold December morning, and made me appreciate the value of simplicity–not just on that morning, but in many mornings to come.

Blessings to you in whatever season you’re in ~

Heather

p.s. I love how the apostle Paul who had all things–fame, knowledge, stuff, accolades,– wrote of counting all as loss in comparison to the ‘surpassing worth’ of knowing Christ. I so believe we were created for more, so much more than most of us settle for. I believe God created, designed, and loved each of us before we were even born–and that He has great plans for each of us, but as a Sovereign God, He is also a God who allows free will, so we can fill our lives up with whatever we’d like…but the older I get, the more I am thankful for just the gift of knowing that He IS, that He loves, and that He walks with us as we invite Him in. I’m thinking that’s a pretty great gain and a way better trade than any distractions we could have in our way. Praying we allow Him to use the stuff in our lives for His glory…and for our good and the benefit of others–for what an amazing thing it is to know that we are loved. The greatest ownership might be in knowing that “Christ Jesus has made me His own…” My two cents for today ❤

Here are some Paul’s words on loss–“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings becoming like him in his death,  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:8