A Tale of Two Trees

I heard a story once about some trees in a biosphere. They grew to a certain height and then just fell over. The scientists were puzzled by this phenomenon. After much research, they discovered the cause. It was a lack of roots. Out in the wild, trees are exposed to winds which forces them to dig down deep with roots to stay standing. In the biosphere, there was no wind and the trees had no root system, so when they reached a certain height, they could not support themselves. Now, a tree in the wild might want to complain about that wind - it is scary and tough and painful. But in reality, the wind is a friend. It is what makes those trees develop routes and gain strength.

Okay, what do trees have to do with living with IH? Well, I was only diagnosed 15 months ago, but I have been dealing with various ongoing medical problems for almost the last five years. I hate it. I just want to be "normal." I am so frustrated with the affect my health has had on my family. But in reality, when I am feeling sane and I stop to think about it, I am thankful for my struggles. They have made me a better and stronger person. I understand so much more than I ever did. Like the tree out in the wilderness, I have faced many terrifying winds. But it is those winds that have forced me to dig my roots deeper. I have had to turn to God and trust in Him. My faith has grown exponentially in these times. I have been reminded that I am not the only one who has suffered hardship.

It is a daily struggle to dig down and develop my roots. There are times when I feel sure that I will be blown over by the hurricane gales. But the Word of God is TRUTH and

"I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39