Three dried maple leaves, nestled beside various devotional books, lie on a table in my bedroom, reminding me of a promise.
Last summer I faced one of those painful seasons when a loved one fell to temptation at great personal cost. As I watched shame overtake one who once held a youthful passion for God, I grieved as though the loss were my own. Tears flowed at the most awkward moments.
I observed signs of repentance and bumpy steps of progress as summer matured to fall. But my loved one still struggled with recovery. On my daily walk, I was once again lifting all of this to my Father in prayer when He directed my gaze to the carpet of brilliant gold covering the dirt path. I picked up one of the small maple leaves, speckled with tawny flecks. I carried it as tears flowed, feet shuffled, pressing myself into the walk with heavy-hearted prayers.
A brilliant red caught my eye and I added it to the collection as I continued crying out for God to work in the life of this freshly returned prodigal. My mind was filled with “what ifs” and “whys” fueled by fears for the future and sorrows over wasted opportunities.
The third leaf brought a complete trinity of color. My sorrow-filled reverie was interrupted by the amazing realization of what lay in my hand. Three leaves, once young and green, only buds just months ago, but now a glorious transformation. The tender epiphany brought me to a standstill.
If God so clothes the grass of the field . . . He who began a good work will bring it to completion . . . Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory . . . (Matthew 6:30; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 3:20-21).
If God cares enough to clothe the leaves of fall with such splendor, if He is able to bring such a beautiful transformation to display His glory in them–will He not do the same for my loved one? For His glory?
I’m watching signs of this occur, not as quickly as I would like, so when I get discouraged, when I begin to lose heart–I pick up one of the “promise leaves” and reflect on God’s power, His ability to transform, His care for His own–and my faith is renewed.
Would you like to share a testimony of God’s transforming work in a loved one? It would be an encouragement.
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