Written by Tina Kramer
A father and son climb the stairs of the treehouse. Sunlight from the latticed window penetrates the dark timbers as they make their ascent to the lookout on the highest level.
Some call it a magic tree house but its official name is: The Canopy Cathedral. A plaque explains that these timbers were salvaged from:
“… the infamous 2002 ‘Biscuit Fire’ in Southwest Oregon, which claimed almost 500,000 acres. The local Oregon term for recovering and using the trees and logs from that significant fire has come to be known as ‘repurposing.’”
The father and son reach the lookout, but the son is small in stature and cannot see the view.
“Lift me up. I can’t see!” the son pleads.
The father lifts his son and shows him the view.
Reflections
As I climb through difficult passages of life, I long for my Heavenly Father to lift me higher than my circumstances and show me the view from His perspective.
All I see are the fires and destruction of suffering, but the Creator pulls out the charred timbers of my life and starts his “repurposing” process. He is building something from the ashes; something beautiful is taking shape.
Jesus said:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to. . . provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor“ (Isaiah 61:1,3 NIV)
Prayer
Father God,
My soul groans and waits with expectation for the day when you will make all things new. You are building a family from the ashes, a family that will display Your splendor.
“Yet to all who did receive him (Christ), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. . . ” (John 1:12 NIV)
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28 NIV).
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Rev 7:9 NIV).
No more tears, no more pain. . . just one big family reunion with You, our Heavenly Father.
What a view!
Maranatha-even so, Lord Jesus come!
Shout-out to Holly for sharing this song with me; it is so meaningful. Also thank you for your enduring friendship all these years. You are a blessing!
Photos from Longwood Gardens taken by Tina
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