Trees That Trust | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Trees That Trust | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
05/01/07
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In November of 2006, my husband and I, along with his parents, landed in Alice Springs. We climbed down the airplane’s steps and across the hot tarmack in the 40 degree Celsius Australian sunshine. We soon found our luggage and paid for transport to the hotel. As I climbed onto the bus I was filled with anticipation and excitement for the next seventy-two hours. Childhood dreams were about to be fulfilled. Deep in my spirit I knew that God was going to meet me in a special way here in the Outback.

The trip into town was like a mini tour as the driver pointed out various land formations and explained some of the history of the area. We crossed a bridge. Under it was a wide dry gulch. On either side of the dusty riverbed were large gum trees. They were sturdy, healthy and covered with silver-green leaves. I didn’t expect to see such large trees here in the desert.

“We’re now crossing the Murray River,” the driver said in a thick Australian accent. “Each year we hold a regatta. It’s the only regatta in the world that is cancelled if there’s water flowing in the riverbed.” Everyone chuckled.

I looked back at the parallel row of gum trees on either side of the wide dry river. The trees knew where the water was. In fact, the trees were drinking from that river. Their roots were continually tapped into the life-giving flow regardless of what was occurring on the surface.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
(Jeremiah 17:7-8 New American Standard Version)

Trust is a fragile thing. So easily broken, so difficult to repair. At least from a human perspective. God, on the other hand, continues to send the sun on its daily course serving up new mercies and grace everyday.

I have often betrayed His trust, took advantage of His mercies, and expected His grace. Yet He continues to trust me each day as I wake up and find that once more I have breath in my lungs. He trusts that I will look to Him and not to myself, or others, for strength, direction, comfort, affirmation and love. He trusts that I will offer to others the same new mercies and grace that He affords to me with each sunrise.

“Grow me Lord. Help my roots to reach down to Your living water and remain there through times of plenty and times of drought. Teach me to trust You, Lord, like a gum tree on the Murray River. ”

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