"Leap of Faith and into His Will" by Mary LaFrance

When we are born, we are like a seedling of a tree, small is stature, and need the constant care and nurturing so we can grow.  As life continues on, the stages of life remind me of different types of trees that represent the stages of my life.

When I was a teenager, and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, my life was like a new, found fruit tree.  I was excited to grow, to bear fruit by spreading the Good News.  I began to drop seeds here and there, and sometimes there were moments that God allowed me witness the good fruit, because I was walking by faith and trusting Him to help me sow what I was supposed to plant.

In my twenties, I experienced times where life was like an old oak tree.  I was strong, stubborn, not bending when I should have listened, and paying a price when my first marriage crumbled like many branches that had fallen off in a storm.  But God saw fit after 5 years to replant my faith, and I found myself rebounding, and life was taking the shape of beauty again.  Life once again had gained positive ground, like a tree full of cherry blossoms in springtime, and I found love that was sturdy like a big Douglas Fir.

In my thirties, life was full, like a big palm tree swaying in the wind.  The activities that surrounded my life where like fronds that wrapped themselves around my heart and soul.  But, my palm tree was uprooted and fell when my Mom passed away.  I’d have to start over again, with a new planting of strength, courage, faith and grace, and I did, because she never once said, “You need to give up.”

In my forties, life was still busy, and at times I felt like I was a walnut tree.  Strong most of the time, but I had a few moments where I was scattered like every nut had fallen off my branches.  I transformed myself back into the oak tree when two significant things happened this decade.  My husband had his first heart attack, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The two events were 7 years apart, so God had sown a lot of time in between to help me harvest the good things out of major events to help my orchard grow. Many seeds were planted during this time in my life, and God stretched me far beyond my wildest imagination!

In my fifties, life became a little bit slower, and I was a little bit thinner, looking somewhat like a white birch tree.  Some of my bark got peeled off when my cancer had returned.  So, once again, my strength, courage, faith, and grace were fertilized by the Master Forester, and life continued on.   I had so many more opportunities to plant seeds all the while I was growing and changing.  The Living Water was keeping me alive and well, and new foliage was my assurance I’d be alright. Much more wisdom was leafing out in my thoughts and I became a much more bolder tree for Jesus, instead of withering inside like I hadn’t been watered for years.

Now I’m in my sixties, and the view of my tree trunk is somewhat weary and weathered.  I have enjoyed a little seedling that Jesus planted in my life since 2020…my grandson.  I pray to teach him to grow into a sturdy tree of his own, one that will branch out for Jesus, so his life will be fragrant with the smell of love and kindness for others, and full of grace and thankfulness.  I’m trying hard to remain like that old oak tree, with faith so strong that my branches will stand the test for all I have left to do. There are days when the gusts of wind and trials feel like they could uproot me any second, and yet my roots run deep for Jesus and so I stand strong, facing the storms and thanking God for delivering me each day to the fresh new morning air I breathe.

When I’ve had those moments over time, where I’ve experienced grief or sorrow, my life has felt like a weeping willow tree.  My body has felt at times like I’ve been stooped over, and my arms have felt heavy as if they could touch the ground.  My trunk has kept me upright, but my heart has wept over the things that have hurt so bad, I thought I might wither away, never to come back so I could be productive and go on through the seasons. Yet, here I am, and my branches still have some fruit to bear before I leave my earthly patch of ground.

As I reflect on the different seasons and stages of my life, so many thoughts cross my mind.  The most important thing through each step of the way, is the gift of the tree of life that God has given me.  No matter how many times He tore away some of my branches, and stripped me of my leaves, He has always replenished my trunk and limbs with new growth and He keeps me on a steady and sturdy pathway, even when my life feels uprooted.  May my feet be continually and firmly planted with His righteousness, grace and unfailing love.  When my time finally comes for me to leave my earthly home, I can only pray that I will have left enough seeds planted for a few new seedlings to grow into their own orchard, so they too can see the fruits of the spirit that are harvested. Those new seedlings bring hope, smiles to a person’s face and thankfulness for opportunities to branch out for Jesus.