Gentle Leaves
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
ME: Jesus, I love living out here in the country! I see so many things that make my heart smile. Not everyone has this blessing. Probably not everyone wants it.
JESUS: Yes, I am aware of that.
ME: Like yesterday, the deer were eating their morning ration of corn and a gentle breeze was blowing the leaves off the tree. The leaves were falling on the deer’s’ backs but they did not seem to care; nor were they frightened. They just continued eating. It’s like they knew they were safe. They were in sync with nature…and undisturbed.
JESUS: That is how they were created. But what about you? When leaves fall, you frantically try to get them out of your hair and off your clothing. Liken that to troubles that come into your life.
ME: What do You mean?
JESUS: Every problem that arises in your life, you go into worry mode, avoidance and sometimes you even try to take charge. You know control is My job but yet you try. My deer do not panic when the leaves fall on their backs. So why do you become anxious?
ME: I think it’s because those brittle, dirty leaves don’t belong on me.
JESUS: Just like you have concluded that problems should never come into your life?
ME: Wait…I don’t think that.
JESUS: Your thoughts and behaviors say something else. Sometimes I send gentle leaves and at other times, I send gusty winds but I am always with you; I am the one who helps you.
ME: I know that.
JESUS: In your head, but how about your heart? I want you to know these things deep in your inner being. Almost anyone can have head knowledge but I want you to know Me in a different way. Even when troubles come, and they will, I want you to let go of your worry and cling to the fact that I am with you and I alone can help you.
ME: I thought I was doing that. I guess I missed the mark.
JESUS: Do not think of yourself as a failure. You still have more to learn.
ME: So, when do classes begin?
JESUS: They already have. They started before the world was ever created. Just keep attending. Do not skip classes and do your assignments.