Saturday morning I sat on my front porch steps in my pajamas drinking a cup of coffee, Queen Esther, as usual, close to my side. I stared all around me with a measure of awe at these humble woods. Humble, not because I’m being modest. Humble, because they really are. We think they’re beautiful but they’re simple. God got us good and ready to appreciate this place by not letting a single tree flourish in our in-town yard of 27 years. We transplanted a young oak from Keith’s grandmother’s woods into our front yard early on and it had grown a whopping six inches by the time we moved. We finally had the greatest-ever river birch in our backyard, birdhouses and feeders hanging from its gorgeous branches, and Hurricane Ike kindly relieved us of it.
So these woods out here are not wasted on Keith and me. Still, we are well aware that the beauty that surrounds us is in the eye of two grateful beholders. The view in the picture you see below is tidy because it’s closest to our front door but the rest of these woods are pretty wild and viney and, when it rains, our low land is a good deal swampy. Mosquitos eat us alive if it’s wet and hot and, more often than we wish, it’s both. We can’t take a walk without snake boots since these gracious acres are prime habitat for breeding water moccasins, coral snakes, and copperheads. Each of our dogs have been snakebitten, one of them twice. That’s just life in the country. But you couldn’t budge us from these woods with a heavy bevy of bulldozers.
What moved me Saturday morning was that all I could see was green. Every shade possible. Lime green, olive green, kelly green, emerald green, foam green, sea green, myrtle green, you-name- it green. Foliage of countless kinds and textures. Oak leaves that look like the soles of feet. Sweet gum leaves that look like the palms of hands stretched wide-open. Spiny pines, bristly red cedars, and lacy foliage of cypress trees, dreamy and ethereal, growing straight out of the waters of our tiny natural pond.
Nothing dead in sight.
I put on my boots (still wearing my pajamas, otherwise, what’s the good of living out in the country?) and I went for a walk. If you’re inclined to like the color green, I’ll take you with me. But take your Claritin. You’re going to need it.
I wish you could hear the chorus of frogs, come evening, that meet for choir practice in this straw-thin creek bed.
The white trunk you see below in the middle of the frame is a Sycamore. Not exactly the same kind Zacchaeus, a wee little man, climbed with all his might for the Lord he wanted to see. All the same, when I walk past it, I don’t mind thinking of Jesus saying, Zacchaeus, you come down from that tree, for I’m going to your house today and Zacchaeus countering, Well, it’s a long, long way to my house – I fear I’ve wandered far from home – but why don’t we just stop off at the Moores? That girlfriend can stir up a fine pot of chicken and dumplings. And they do.
You did take your Claritin like I told you to, didn’t you? Because one of us is really allergic to this right here but, still, there’s no saying it’s not pretty.
And these. Well, these make Texas Texas. We just had a few bluebonnets the first year we moved in but every Spring God adds a a handful more because He knows good and well we’re going to brag on Him like nobody’s business. And He loves that.
What burned in my lungs on Saturday was that, everywhere a soul could see, there was nothing but life.
Somebody might shrug and wonder what’s new about that. It’s Spring. That’s what Spring brings. But that’s not all of our story out here. Three years ago, Texas suffered the worst drought of its history. The ravages of it did not peak until a year or so later when century oaks and towering pines all over our beautiful State begged our forgiveness but they just couldn’t recover. I asked Keith this morning how many trees he estimates we lost in these few acres alone. He said the smaller trees were innumerable but the painful losses were the fine, stately trees, some of them absolutely enormous. We said a sad goodbye to somewhere around 100 of those.
We were sick at heart. We’d walk round and round them, studying them carefully, trying to decide if they’d died or gone temporarily dormant in an effort to survive. When all was said and done, we’d lost many of our very favorite ones. After both Old Moses and Isaiah gave up the ghost, Keith swore and declared (and swore again as he has a mind to do) that he’d never again name another tree. It’s too painful when you have to see them die. I never imagined wanting to cry over a tree before. I may have laid hands on Old Moses and prayed. It didn’t work but he didn’t mind. We stared at their deadness and mourned for awhile then Keith began the slow grueling process of cutting them down.
It’s taken all this time.
I thought that was all there was to it but I was wrong. Next came the process of piling them up, waiting for really wet weather, and starting to burn heaps and piles of deadness. Day after damp day, Keith and a few helpers watched over a dozen bonfires.
But, Saturday, I sat on my front porch and beheld the breathtaking sight, forgive the redundancy, of nothing but life. Because, here’s the thing:
We’d finally given up what was dead and not coming back.
I wish I were not just talking about trees. We Moores and Jones have had some hard things to let go of over the last several years. Droughts, dying, death, grief. Of course, embedded here in this soil where thorns and thistles prosper, we earthlings will always have those things nearby to remind us that this place in no permanent home. We long for a better country.
I could not help but think about the contrast of all that is happening in these woods in the wake of our recent Resurrection Sunday celebration. I love Easter so much. If I believe in anything at all, I believe in God’s shameless felicity in raising to life what is dead. We Moores and Jones have experienced His resurrection power in ways no blog post could adequately boast. But I thought of a second theological principle as I stared all around me, not a dead branch in sight. I thought how sometimes we have to accept what has died or refused to come to life or produce a whit of fruit…
…and we have to let it go.
Instead of staring at it for months on end as a monument to our loss, we sometimes need to cut it down, pile it up, move it out or let it burn.
While we cry.
Because often God chooses to resurrect something that has died.
But other times He wants us to call it what it is – dead – and let it go, knowing that He is good. He cannot fail to be good.
That’s what Jesus said He does with what, over the proof of time, does not remain. It is “thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up.” (John 15:6 The NET) He “takes away every branch that does not bear fruit” and He “prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.” (John 15:2)
He’s all about the fruit.
What doesn’t bear fruit, what fails to resurrect Spring after disappointing Spring, finally needs to go. That doesn’t mean you forget. Some things are too big to forget. Take Old Moses, for instance. He blessed us with a lot of shade. And spectacular beauty. And he’s so big, we’re not even sure how to move out what’s left of him. But we’ve quit begging him to come back to life and we’ve pushed him back where he’s not so easy to see. Trying to resuscitate what’s not coming back to life just leaves you out of breath.
But this is the miracle of the whole thing. The drought stole life from these woods that bore roots in this ground for a hundred years. It was a terrible shame. But the sun rays and showers blocked so long by their enormous branches found their way to the fertile ground and the space that was bare gave way to new life.
God will not leave us comfortless. He will not leave us alone. He will not leave us fruitless. He will either resurrect the dead or grow something brand new.
I say this to you with a tender heart and deep compassion and empathy. If it is gone, let it go. If it is possible to move the deadness from your sight where it has become a monument to your sadness, pile it up and carry it off.
And know with all your heart and all your faith that something new is coming. Hope preferred for your hope deferred. Give it space. Sunshine. Water. Inspect it with great expectation. And you will surely – as surely as God is faithful and Jesus is the fleshing out of life itself – live to see new trees sprout out of that soil. Something you couldn’t have expected. Something Old Moses could never have given you.
We’re here too brief a time on this finicky soil to spend days on end grieving what could have been. We’ll talk to Jesus about that when we get Home. We’ll have forever then. For now…
Let it go.
So something new can grow.
Water it with your tears if you must but release your fears that nothing but nothingness is ahead for you. Is God your God? As sure as He is, new life is coming.
All the deadness did not manage to kill you. You are stronger than you thought. Stretch out your arms like mighty branches even if, for now, they’re as thin as sticks. It is to your Father’s glory that you bear much fruit.
Beth, so timely for me as well, but of course, that is just like our Lord!
I do see all of His great blessings, the new life that does come. He has been specific with me about forgiveness of my old life, my sin and not to go back there. This was very confirming for me.
I loved your study on Daniel. we completed at my church this last fall. Every time I go shopping, I think, “eyes of Babylon” what do I really need, versus what do I see that now I want? One of the most valuable lessons of my life.
Thank you.
Still waiting for the “green” up north in Pennsylvania. But expecting His fruit in abundance!
And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah
Shall again take root downward,
And bear fruit upward.
2 Kings 19:30
And Psalm 104:16 and Eph. 3:17 and Col. 2:7
So beautiful. What a wonderful reminder that God never leaves us where we are! I’m so thankful for that. So very, very thankful.
Thank you, Beth! The timing of this post is perfect for me. I have some dead things I need to let go of now-so ready to see what new things God is ready to grow in my life!
I get it, from a fellow boot-wearing woods dweller.
Thank you Beth…I for one really needed to hear that today. God Bless You
Beth – you are such a friend to me – and I love our talk in the woods today. This is a hard concept for me to swallow. If God is Redeemer, doesn’t He redeem all things – esp. among believers? There have been some things I’ve had to let go over recent years, but this question follows me. Shouldn’t we be able make something broken new again in Christ? I believe you. I know it to be true. But the questions come none-the-less. You are so dear, faithful woman of God!
Beth, I am so thankful to God for this post. It resonated with me and it is a great word picture of new, good things growing in my marriage… And in my heart. “See, God is doing a new thing.” By the grace of God. Thank you.
Can you (or LP Admin) please tell Nancy I forwarded this to my younger daughter out of a prompting. Something in it spoke to my daughter. This is such a grace of God.
Will do, Terri!
Conformation of what God has been telling me. “He brought me out to take me in.”He brought me out of bondage and even though my life is so much better I have been In a wilderness of healing from the pain of it all God has been impressing on me it is time to go into my promise land of productivity. Thank you so much for allowing God to flow through you to encourage me today.
Thanks Beth!
This was SO timely for me as I’m packing up my home of 30 years after my husband left 7 years ago. Was just talking to God about it yesterday, wondering if I’ve made the biggest mistake ever!
Thanks for the reminder that ‘God will not leave us comfortless. He will not leave us alone. He will not leave us fruitless. He will either resurrect the dead or grow something brand new.’
Thank you so much for your proclamation of God’s Truth! I so needed this! It has been so hard to let grief go after my husband’s death. He is ALIVE in the presence of Jesus – but I continue to grieve that I wasn’t a better wife and companion.I can’t undo that, but with God’s help, I can still bear fruit. I look forward to it.
Needed to hear this today! Thank you Lord for speaking to me today through your precious servant!
OH, Miss Beth! ONE. OF. YOUR. BEST.
This was poignant and TRUE! THANK you for crafting these words and images to share such wisdom.
…and that Moses tree: WOAH!
God’s abundance on you and yours this new season!
This is beautiful. Sad, but hopeful. <3
On a drive along a winding country road a few years back, I felt so strongly that God was directing me to look at the most beautiful sliver of landscape I could spy and imprint it on my mind, because He intended one day to far surpass it. I spent a long time after that wondering when my beautiful landscape would meet me around the bend and feeling utterly frustrated and left behind when others met theirs and I didn’t. I’m coming out the other side of one of the most intense seasons of drought and pruning to date, and I almost feel like I’m at the point where I can finally look beyond myself to see the new growth. I don’t get to this space nearly as often as I wish I did, but no matter when I do, there’s something timely waiting for me to savor and contemplate. Thank you.
Thank you Beth for your encouraging words. releasing the past has been a challenge for me but your words of eternity help me keep the right perspective and I so appreciate that!
Beth,
God has spoken to my heart time and again through you. You have been in our bible study for over 9 years. You are one of us and we love you and pray for you! The first time I heard you speak was in Detroit and it was Jacksons first birthday. You assured us that you would be seated at your families table to celebrate that evening. And I prayed that you would!! My friends lured me into going promising me a trip to Ikea. At the end of the conference I wept at how ridiculous I had been thinking I was going to Ikea and God instead offered me a revival.
My life is changing. My little people are now teens and adults… And life is so much harder, I worry more than ever. I love God with all of my heart but I have been plagued with anxiety and depression. I’ve got a wonderful sweet husband and have had medical help and I remained involved in bible study with my small group. I also have owned my own business for 15 years… And it’s been wonderful but it’s also very stressful…and I’m not sure I can do it anymore. I have a wonderful talent and my business is thriving but it increases the anxiety and By the end of summer I am panicking every year wondering how I will wrap it up. Last fall God literally dropped a new position in my lap. An equivalent income, flexible schedule and 1 mile from my house. Initially the job was supposed to be 13 miles away but in my second day they moved me to my hometown. Isn’t that just like Him? Just when you think it can’t get any better it does? And I’m stuck looking back. Fearful to let go of something His hand was always all over. I have no good explanation of why or how it worked other than Him. I know His hand will be on me either direction but I want I desperately to make the right choice. Do I really let it go? Put it down and walk away? I stare longingly at things gone. I sit here staring at photos of my small children and looking at my business and am overtaken with grief that those seasons have passed. New things are coming, new life, new opportunities. I am grateful for the reality of His presence and how He is leading me, gently nudging me forward assuring me with ways only He can. Speaking to me through teachers who have been obedient enough to hear His calling, sharing what He has put in their heart. He’s so good to us.
Praying for you Terri. Our ladies just finished “Faithful, abundant, true.” where Beth says to step away from yourself, your self ambitions and desires, your fears and criticisms, and your emotions; so you can hear the voice of God. ( my husband says to pray, ” God I am stupid so make it really clear to me what you want me to do. ” Sincerely a sister in Christ.
Wow – it is with tears that I finish your sweet and accurate truth about life and death and new life! I appreciate your kindness to me.
joy~
Beautiful and painful. The past for me is the hardest to let go of. Shame and regret. The what could have been and the why didn’t I. The mistake affected many and the pain of that is more than I can handle some days.
This is what I know I need to do. Thank you.
Beth, what a gift, thank you. I love and appreciate how your posts “grow” into a word that always profoundly blesses me- Thank you, thank you, thank you for your ministry. The challenge to recognize what is truly dead and how to let it go is a must in this life- I needed this post dear sister in Christ- Blessings
Just so very beautiful and inspring and affirming. Thank you, Beth. “Let it go” is a huge theme these days and its not just for little girls. Thank you for sharing the hope you feel. I needed to hear this.
Whoa…powerful message…been holding onto an “Old Moses” relationship that ended over a decade ago because of my fear that “nothing but nothingness is ahead for me”. Appreciate the gentle reminder that GOD is my God and new life is coming. Praise Him for amazing grace offered regardless of my behavior.
Thanks for this post. I’ve been struggling with letting go of a job I know He told me to move on from. He has better things in store. God IS my God! And as sure as He is, new things are coming!!
Thanks Beth for sharing your journey once again…wherever that journey takes you. I enjoyed the walk. Jesus is so good.
Dear Beth,
I do believe God has been whispering in your ears to write that for me. I needed to hear this message. Thank you for doing what God asks of you. You are such a blessing to me!
Much love and blessings to you–
Debra
Thank you, Beth, not only for being so real with us and not only for sharing the Word with us, but also for sharing a piece of who you are personally. Your willingness to invite us onto your porch in our pajamas to see what you are seeing models the truth of God’s living, breathing, and active Word. Thank you for being transparent. This writing was timely for me. I have “let IT go”, but your words have encouraged me to not give up on the “something new”. New life is coming! I am watching for IT with great expectation! Blessings to you and your family!
I needed that. And I am so glad that you have such a beautiful place. There is no one who deserves it more.
Beautifully said and such nourishment for my soul today! Thank you Beth!
I, like a million other people, have been dealing with some serious issues. So serious that I have found myself deep in a pit of depression and sadness. Some days I blame it on menopause, though “they” say I am at the end of that madness; some days I am just downright depressed. Anyway, over the last few weeks about every two or three days God has brought three words to me….. LET IT GO! And here is it again. Now, to just figure out what exactly I am supposed to let go of and I’ll call it good and Thank the Lord for its good riddance. Until then I guess I will just keep my eyes and ears open for when He says it again. Thanks Beth!
Once again, beautiful prose and a beautiful message. I grew up in southeast Texas and your posts about your woods always remind me of home. I live in the Hill Country now and you know how wonderful that is, but it’s unlike home. Next time a tree dies, especially one of those tall pines far enough from your house to not fall on it, leave it. You will love the woodpeckers that will build their home in it. Daddy cut down and burned most of the trees that Ike killed in my parent’s yard, but left several that now house Pileated, Red-headed, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers.
Finally, I am surrounded by green in West Tennessee; seems it’s been a long time coming but I love Spring and I look forward to it every year. My greatest pleasure is to get in my car and just drive and look. I live in a small town and there’s lots of countryside around me. There are also wonderful people who keep beautiful yards for me to enjoy! The theology is not lost on me either. The things that hurt, the loss of cherished people, etc., must be let go because we are to trust God with everything. And everything means everything. What He pleases to resurrect, He can and will, but we trust and obey, day by day. God bless you precious Beth. Someday, you will know how much you are loved by so many.
What a wonderful word picture! I have one or two “dead trees” I need to cut down and roll away. How we cling! How we fear life without the familiar! And honestly, the new growth is usually so much less scary than we think it will be.
Much love to you, Beth. Thank you for your consistent encouragement all these years! I don’t comment often, but I appreciate you always!
Thank you so much for this, Beth
Thanks Beth! Thank you for being used by God to touch my life. This was something that I needed to hear. I am reminding myself that God has a great plan for my future, even when starting over is scary. Thanks for the encouragement!
Newly married, but no longer starry-eyed, I was attending community college at night and grappling with the reality after the veil.
I realized quickly that I had given up way too much of myself to fit into my husband’s life.
I put those realizations into words for an assignment and lately one line from that college essay has been haunting my mind, “How long does it take for the winds of bitterness to drive love from the heart?”
25 years.
But the devil is a liar. Love never fails.
I know that.
But yesterday, I was so filled with pain and rage that I was almost consumed. Almost.
Yesterday, in the middle of my internal rehashing of every slight and grievance, the Lord made it clear to me that I could have my bitterness or I could have my marriage, but I couldn’t have both.
My marriage is not the problem.
The root of bitterness has to go.
Reading your post today provided such a powerful picture of what has happened in my marriage.
There are some dead things that I need to let go.
My marriage must come out from under the shadow of my bitterness. That’s what’s blocking the light and the beauty
There is still life in my marriage. It just needs the warmth of God’s love and the light of His face and the water of His word to grow.
Thanks for the reminder.
Your sister in Christ,
Jenni
Wow, Jenni. Just wow. There is some truth right there. Bitterness has to go. Ouch. Thank you for sharing your story!
Oh wow, how this speaks to me. Thank you!
This is a good word sister! I have already shared it with several people this morning. Thank you Beth for spending your quiet moments with the Lord and sharing them with all of us.
Thank you Sister. I needed that. Blessings to you.
Beautiful, Beth! It brought me to tears. There are some dead things in my life I need to let go of. Also, I believe our precious Lord gifted me with this writing as special preparation for my Walk to Emmaus which is coming up at the end of this month. I love you Beth!
I have 2 words for this timely post–Oh My!
Thank you for sharing your personal thoughts Beth and your ever blooming incredible way with words!
Thank you for taking risks and allowing what is in you to match up with what is in me (and many others) in a way that shines light on truth and overflows to FREEDOM in Christ.
I am always, always grateful, challenged and blessed.
Your sister-because of Him!
Pat
Dear Beth,
Thank you for this post. It means something very important to me for where I am but I am just not sure what. I was so impressed by the Spirit to be prepared for either a letting go or a resurrection. Not sure which one. Thank you for being a faithful vessel. I know He will let me know which.
This has been personally appropriate for me this morning and I will share it with my daughter. She has been working so hard to get into a school that is competative and has a great reputation for job placement, yet affordable to attend. She came close but did not get in. If you knew her whole story, you would understand why this has been devastating to her, and to me as a mom. We have been seeking Gods guidance and are continuing to pray for the direction of her path. She is very talented and I know God has a plan for her to use her for His glory. I keep telling her that His plans will be what she cannot even possibly imagine, because, that is what our God loves to do. He loves to blessedly AMAZE us!! In the meantime, the rest of our large family, including our others married daughter, live in Houston, where I was born and raised. We live a 20 hour drive away from home in North Corolina where my husband is presently employed. As soon as she is finished with her education, we are planning, if God is willing, to move back. But, I love the green trees here and will miss them!! (That is one thing about visiting Houston. I miss the trees! ) Have a blessed week in the rare and beautiful green shade of your Texan home! What a true blessing!
Powerful insightful message Beth! You are a wise Godly woman!
I, too, love to see the Beauty of God in Nature, Beth! Growing up in the country and now living nearer to the City — boy I miss it. My kids (and sometimes my adorable Hubby) gave me a hard time as we drove out in Amish Country over the holidays and at almost every turn I’d say, “Wow, look at those beautiful hills! Guys, look at all those cattle grazing together! Look at all those clothes on the line — clean, crisp with that fresh-air scent!” To which they’d respond, “Wow, Mom, look at that awesome pile of rocks!” (grin). Someday, too, they’ll see what I see. Let our eyes be open to see His Glory! Thank you for such a special post! God’s Blessings to you, your family and staff!!
Beth my friend thank you for writing this just for me. We have been friends for 13 years and we have met just a couple of times.
I am going thru a divorce, and living in a new city , at a new job. I couldn’t feel more alone at times but I KNOW GOD . And I wake up at 3 am and journal to my Lord and savior and I know he won’t leave me alone. He loves me, and he gave me your post to reinforce that he won’t leave me alone forever. He is a loving God and he loves me.
Beth,
Thank you for this beautiful post!
I have forwarded your Holy Week, âIt is Finishedâ message to many friends, family and others whom Iâve recently met, i.e. my dental hygienist, etc. I watched it three times and continue to prayerfully meditate on various parts. The Exodus âPassover Door,â (Ex 11:7) and how the Cross of Christ fits into it and how He IS⊠The Door⊠so profound! Thank you for those beautiful Scriptures and images upon which to ponder.
The other night the Lord brought Luke 1:69 into focus⊠âHe has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David.â (NIV)
It is so interesting that once Christ ushered in the New Covenant, while genealogy was important, it became clear that we are members of the Family of God by being ‘Born Again,’ ( Jn 3:5-7; Zec 4:6); through our faith in Him and what He has accomplished for us, rather than through genealogy. (Gal 3:7).
On occasion because of our same last name, I have had a fun thought that we may be related through our lineage. Yet, what inspires me is your faith in and intimacy with Jesus.
Both you and Charles Stanley have been and continue to be my favorite Bible teachers. The intimacy that each of you have with Christ and share with the world, beautifully reflects His Love and Life! And nourishes the intimacy, by His grace, I, prayerfully, aspire toward… that it may consistently and eternally deepen.
After May 5th, joyfully, by God’s Grace, there will be an opening for me to write to Charles again.
I appreciate and thank you, for your encouraging and uplifting blogs, videos and messages.
And, yes! Let’s pray God’s ‘Prayer for the Ephesians’ (Eph 3:14-21), for the Body of Christ! That a ‘World Awakening’ may occur for all people to be drawn to Jesus, through their interactions with each of His Members.
Affectionate regards
In Christ,
Celta
The last few weeks I have felt some of these same things but didn’t know how to get it down in writing. This new growth that’s all around us has been speaking to my heart in a huge way. I am in the middle of experiencing the grief of a second baby that couldn’t make it to 20 weeks inside of me. And although I NEVER want to forget my babies, I am fully aware that Jesus’ hope is so much greater than my grief.
“Water it with your tears if you must but release your fears that nothing but nothingness is ahead for you. Is God your God? As sure as He is, new life is coming”.
These few sentences are my prayer and my hope. Thank you, Beth, for being willing to share what Jesus is showing you. It’s exactly what Jesus wanted to share with my spirit today.
At just the right moment, this blog showed up in my inbox.
Thank you Precious One.
Thank you! I truly needed these words as a reminder of how great our God is and how he desires for us to see the newness of life that He is so eager to show us. And, yes, how we must move past or even remove from ourselves, what is dead or over that our vision will not be impaired from the strength and beauty that lies ahead or perhaps, that is already there.