There once was a glorious old oak tree that, for years, we affectionately called “Grandpa’s Tree”. It stood on a bit of a hill overlooking the river. In its prime, this mighty oak provided peaceful shade and a quiet place to read a great mystery, ponder life and love, and offer heartfelt prayers to God. 

A few years ago, this gorgeous hunk of tree was struck by lightning and subsequently cut down to a stump. It sits where a beautiful tree once stood.

It’s a bit uneven and rough around the edges but big enough for a few people to rest comfortably, think deeply, and whisper secrets. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy the soft lapping of the river and the sun gently setting in all its glorious pink and yellow hues. The occasional sound of laughing children looking for the most engaging rock to toss into the river float up. And the giggling teenagers leaning on the hoods of their cars taking selfies is not an unfamiliar sound. Sometimes, whispered prayers are interrupted by the slap of nets tossed with abandon into the water in the hope of catching one fish or ten.

It is all glorious life lived around the stump of what I thought was a dear dead tree.

Recently, when I was sharing my thoughts about this blog with a friend, she said it reminded her of a line in Monty Python’s The Holy Grail. During the time of the plague, a man who looks rather sickly is being picked up and thrown into the cart carrying all the dead out of the city. He hollers, “I’m not dead yet!’ It’s definitely a weird connection, but it made me laugh because it is kind of true. It’s as if that stump has determined that death is not an option. 

This stump has been a featured subject of many of my river pictures. There is something about it that draws me in. Maybe some of that drawing in is because it reminds me of my dad. But I think a larger part of it is that I identify with the tree that once was and the stump that now is.

Like that stump, I once was quite different. Like the tree that came before, I used to have a very different role. And like that stump now, I refuse to give up. 

I took a picture of the stump yesterday and sent it to a friend who responded, “Love the picture of the stump that does not quit. Looks like God has not given up on it!” 

It’s one of those kinds of texts that just breaks your heart wide open in the best possible way. 

Yes! I might think that stump is just the remains of an old dead tree, but God says, “Yeah, but I can do this thing!’ 

He sure can!  After all, who is known for bringing beauty from ashes, joy from sorrow, morning from night, something from nothing, and life from death?

Where I see death and even hopelessness, God sees life and hope!

Today, that big beautiful stump almost looks like it’s decorated for Christmas with one of those mantle-piece floral arrangements. Growing off the side, there are green and red leaves flourishing in opposition to lightning that caused the seeming death of a tree.

Lightning can strike and change the whole nature of a thing in an instant, just like life. Golly, haven’t we all had those things that just knock us to our knees? One moment, things are one way, and then all of a sudden, things are completely different. Not just our circumstances but who we are.

When life changed, God refined my character, purpose, and calling…just like that stump.

I was recently speaking with a friend about all the never-ending challenges and how weariness is a real thing…and yet, I have to honestly say that I like who I’ve become on this journey of single parenting. It’s been fifteen years of a lot. Just a lot of things I could have done without. But also a lot of things I wouldn’t trade for the world…or even a husband. 

Things like precious time with one, a few, or all of my children…joyous celebrations, late-night deep conversations, sweet unexpected texts, check-in phone calls, game nights, movie nights, hikes, and 3-on-3 bball games, verbal wrestling matches (because, well, teenagers), gut aching laughter, and even gut-wrenching tears. 

And I’ve learned things about God that have changed my life:

I’ve certainly had moments I’d have liked to give up, but I’ve learned that God will never give up on me or leave me. 

“When you pass through the water, I will be with you..”

I definitely have felt defeated and overwhelmed, but God just won’t let go of me.

“And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

There have been days when the sorrow, grief, anger, and shame felt like they would just about kill me, yet God continues to shower his love, grace, and forgiveness over me with abundance.

“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2

There is no guarantee that things are going to get easier, but there is still life to live, and, oh, there is still hope! 

Like that stump with its beautiful new life sprouting up, I know God will bring new life out of all the remains of what once was and what still is. 

I do not have to fear the future… I don’t even need to fear another lightning strike (although I’d certainly like to avoid one). God is good. I am sure of it. 

I looked up Isaiah 61, and, oh my goodness, just wow!

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes and oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Isaiah 61: 1-3

It’s right there! That beautiful oak tree that became a stump because of the tragedy it endured! God does indeed bring beauty from ashes…those sprouts of new growth are as magnificent as that glorious old oak was. God’s creation, no matter how much it has been through, shows His glory and splendor. 

The same is true of me. My life is a testimony to God’s faithfulness, even in the storm, even when lightning strikes, and even when trouble comes. God remains by my side, somehow making something lovely from the mess, always ensuring I know He loves me…and that is absolutely true beauty. 

That stump has become even more precious to me. It reminds me of some lovely memories from the past, and it shows me something about tenacity and hope for the future. But most of all, it reminds me that God is so very good. His love is relentless, tenacious, and good, just like that beautiful oak stump.