THE ICY, GNARLY ELM

The icy, gnarly elm alone
in the dell, just beyond the spruces,
has taken on to moan and groan
and wonder of her uses;
to worry in the winter scene
 where none but harshness grows—
and the cold wind blows.

Yet even so, the elm stands firm,
though the weighted ice is building,
and there lies at core a diseasing worm
as the branches soon are breaking;
forbidding is the winter scene
in which all things are made weak—
where the plight looks bleak.

But there is remembrance of who one is,
as the sun shines on and sparkles,
even through the strain and brittleness
there is reason yet for marvels;
hostile may the winter scene become
and the stressful toll long—
but her trust is strong.


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 


THE ICY GNARLY ELM  

Winter is established here in the woodland. Only evergreens provide a dash of color against the white backdrop of land and sky. Snow covers the icy, gnarly branches of maple, beech and elm trees and makes skirts for the evergreens.

Come now, and let us reason together,

saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

God’s grace is like snow—Christ’s shed blood covering sin. If we confess our sin, owning up to it, He is able to forgive us. He is able to white out wrongs like blinding snow. What about those that don’t believe? Well, their sins remain. They chose not to reason together with the LORD.

Today’s poem is about an old woman who has weathered a few winters, kind of like me. She stands alone, beyond youth, sometimes complaining but maintaining trust. And peace. She knows there will come a day when her time will end, as all times do on earth.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 9:27-28

Perfect peace is what Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, gives. It’s the kind of peace you can have right up to the last breath when you commit your spirit into the hands of the Living God. With a sound mind that is fixed on the Author of our faith, rest comes. Remember this?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

The above words were spoken by Jesus. And here, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 26:3-4

Who wouldn’t want perfect peace and everlasting strength? There are many Bible verses that encourage us to put our trust in God. Even our currency bears the claim: In God We Trust. And here is what the exact center of the Bible says:

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8

Pray for peace in our country and with our neighbors. Pray for peace within your own family. Ask for help with being content in all things. It’s difficult to do that without God. But with God, who is our helper and friend, it’s possible, and even to dwell in safety.

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Endure long winter days with on-going trust.

Be faithful with your prayer life, blanketed in grace and peace.