You are not a stick

With the summer comes thunderstorms that sometimes can be quite strong. Recently we had a storm that rolled it's way through and out all within the morning hours allowing my daughter and I to take an evening walk. However, our walk was quite the adventure avoiding the fallen parts of trees along our route. Though nothing severe, there were times that we had to do a detour because of the fallen debris.

The thing about these sticks and fallen debris (aside from being a bit annoying if walking with a stroller) is once they are off the tree they are no longer connected - no longer a living part of the tree. They are unable to continue to sprout leaves or grow any sort of fruit. Most people do not really seem to find a purpose (unless you are a child who is playing outside or a crafty-person making something...) with them and will either put them in a compost pile or bag them up to be thrown away.

It may seem silly to say this, but you are not a stick. You are not a piece of debris no longer bearing fruit or life. You are not something to be thrown away or onto a compost pile. You are not something that is a nuisance to others.  In fact, you are still a living part of the tree - you are a living branch.* You are connected to people and are giving an opportunity to bring fruit in many directions. Sometimes there is a good growing year and other times it is great to just have grown a millimeter. Either way, there is good that comes from you because you are living, breathing, and loving human being in this world doing God's work.

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Lord, 

Thank you for giving me this time to grow and branch out to my family, friends, co-workers, and community. I pray that in my interactions with others that I can bear great fruit and bring others closer to you. I pray that those who are feeling abandoned or "thrown out" are graced with your loving comfort and compassion. For those who are feeling dead in their faith or deeply depressed with their current life circumstances, may they be given the graces needed to remember they are part of the tree and connected to you. 

All these things we pray in your most holy name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

*Read John 15

Passing on the left

Have you ever been waiting at a red light and it just turns green and this car seems to be zooming up past you? They seem to be flying by while you are barely moving. There can even be a bit of an annoyance of "I had been waiting at this light a long time and yet they didn't and breezed on by!" There can also be another thought of "Oh, they are driving too fast!" Regardless of our thoughts on this, each car was found in its own unique circumstances. 

The same can be said and should be said about the spiritual life. It can appear that a friend or family member is soaring in their relationship with God. It can appear that all is easy and going well for that person while you are feeling stuck. However, you may not know the stops they had before the way or will have on their continued journey. To quote Theodore Roosevelt, "Comparison is the thief of joy." God has a reason and purpose for where each soul is in the journey of life. In some way or another - in some time or another- we all will find ourselves at the end goal of heaven whether we had to stop at 100 red lights or if we were privileged to hardly ever stop and keep traveling. 

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Lord, Give me the graces I need to embrace where you want me to be in relationship with you right in this present moment. Thank you Lord for always loving me and giving me what I need. 

In your name, Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth