“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
If you cozy up in our living room and peer out the bay window you will see a raggedy old tree in the front yard. At first glance it is nothing more than an eyesore for those that drive by our home.
Most of its once strong branches have died. All that remains is the four and half foot tall trunk, and two thick branches that spur out to the left and right.
The large branch to the right is dead, and the branch to the left is fighting to hold on. Around the trunk is a jungle of green, leafy shoots that reflect a tree determined to overcome the effects of aging and a past termite infestation.
I swear that seasoned tree overheard some of my conversations. We’ve been threatening to cut it down on several occasions. Each week we receive flyers from tree trimmers to do so. Even our dear neighbor offered to help put it to rest.
But then the unexpected happened that changed everything.
In a little hollow at the heart of the tree, a mother dove sits with graceful determination as she has built a nest and laid her eggs.
For her, that weak and dying tree has offered a place of refuge to birth new life.
Each evening over the last two weeks I have quietly visited the old tree and young mother dove. The eggs have now hatched and two tiny chicks are hidden in the shadows of the tree and covering of mother’s wings.
~ Dr. Scott