Look to the Pines

As I looked out my kitchen window on Palm Sunday, I smiled as I gazed at the blue sky and the rising sun.  Grateful for another day and thanking God for His goodness.  That’s when I saw them!  Up high in the tops of the pine trees. I was elated over the beautiful sight!

Here in the Southeastern United States, we have gobs of pine trees.  Many of which form crosses when their new shoots grow at this time of year, usually around Easter.  It’s a stunning display for sure.  Have you seen them before?  It reminds me of the scripture that says “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy” – Psalms 96:11-12.

As Christians world-wide turn their focus to this holy week, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made through His death on the cross to pay for our sins. But He did not remain in the tomb.  He arose three days later!

Satan thought he had won.  He plotted and schemed to destroy Jesus, God’s only Son. He knew who Jesus was and knew that His purpose was to follow the Father’s plan for our redemption. From the beginning of time, Satan tried to destroy God’s creation.  But as always, what Satan uses to destroy us, God uses for good.  Even in the difficult times, God is at work for good.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.

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All means ALL.  God uses the good, the bad and the ugly to make us more like Him, if we will trust Him.  This scripture does not mean that life will be easy, or that God will remove all suffering from our life.  Rather, it is a promise that God will walk with us through the trials that will come our way (and they WILL come), but in the midst of trouble, He works all of the circumstances out for the good of those who love Him and follow His will.  The Christian life is by no means easy, but as we trust in God, He directs our path.

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Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

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There are several dark places from my past that should have destroyed me. I made it through it all, but only by the grace of God. Only by His mercy am I here today to tell my story of love, redemption, hope, peace and joy.  He redeemed me and I will forever be thankful and will tell of His greatness until my very last breath. He will do the same for you too! You. Are. Not. Alone.

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, what I want you to know, more than anything, is that God truly loves you and wants the very best for you. God allowed His only Son to die in our place. That cross should have been yours and mine. We should have been nailed to that cross because of our sin.  But Jesus freely took our place because of God’s love for you and for me.  Read more about the Father's love on my page, The Way of Life.

If you would like to read daily devotions this week on the Easter story, The Bible Project has a really great devotion in the YouVersion Bible App.

I am praying for each person who reads my blog. Wherever you find yourself in life, there's a God who loves you and there's a lady who has lived a lot of life, made tons of mistakes and is still here on the other side to encourage and cheer you on. As always, please feel free to reach out if there is anything I can be in prayer over for you.

Blessings to you and yours!