Frost has kissed the forest. Many of the leaves and grasses have succumbed
to its deadly touch. Yellow and brown leaves flutter from the trees. The stream
is littered with autumn’s golden snowfall. As I wander off the soft, sandy
trail, my feet crunch noisily through the leafy debris. Looking up, I see many of the trees lifting
dark, barren branches skyward. Others sport a few green and yellow leaves, but
these too are destined to drop to the forest floor.
It’s silent here. No birds call. No
animals chatter to their mates. High above in the treetops the wind blows,
rustling the remaining leaves. The rustling soon grows to a roar as the wind
rushes past barren branches. So much around me seems dead, lifeless. Yet, I
know the forest lives. As I walk I hear
rustling in the dead leaves and know small animals run and hide from this human
invading their territory. I stop a moment at the stream, listening to the
rushing waters bouncing over the rocks. The sound soothes my soul. I look at the brown grass and the barren trees
around the stream and I imagine their roots digging deep into the soil. Above
the soil they appear dead, yet their roots continue to draw nourishment into
the living plants.
So it is with my soul. At times it
becomes brown and looks lifeless. Life is difficult, and I struggle from an
unresponsive spirit and lack of enthusiasm. But then I go to a still place and
listen. Just like the wind rushes through the trees, God’s voice rushes through
my soul, giving me peace. I listen. I learn. I allow the roots of my soul to
draw up spiritual nourishment. I rejoice, waiting patiently for that first
green blush of spring to sprout in my soul.
Psalm 30:5b NIV “Weeping may remain for
a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”