If A Tree Fell In The Forest . . .

You all likely know the old saying about “if a tree fell” and it came to my mind just now in relation to some things the Lord has revealed to me just this morning which I’d like to share with you.

Speaking for myself, I’d never doubt that the sound the tree makes when it falls would be the same whether I hear it or not, but then there’s the question of God’s grace . . . and His timing.  In pondering this, I find my thoughts changing on whether or not the tree falling was soundless.

A favorite scripture verse of mine is Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,  and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

In my life, as with most people, there are a number of “why is the Lord letting this happen” or “when will healing of this situation come” and so forth.  The truth is, we are showered with His grace all the time.  Miracles happen every day.  We often fail to notice.  That’s a huge revelation to me that He made me aware of in the last 24 hours or so.  For, in order for His grace to rise upon me, I have to realize it!

Let me say it another way.  Think of another favorite scripture of mine, the 23rd Psalm.  Now sheep aren’t known to be all that intelligent so perhaps that’s why as they were led beside the still waters, their souls were restored and rest came and so forth.  I have to admit, this blessing might not have gotten to me all at once and it could even have taken a day or two as I thought about the  near miss with the shadow of death and perhaps wondered what might be lurking beneath the surface in those still waters and maybe, just maybe, as I lay in the green comfy grass and became thirsty, I’d perhaps have given thought to how deep the water is and what if I fell in . . .

Think about it.  God’s grace is here.  We own it, if we allow ourselves to trust and receive.  The sheep is every bit as “safe” while he’s worrying about all those things I mentioned, but the peace and grace he’s been given isn’t his because he’s not open to receive it!  The realization of what he’s been given is not upon him as clear as it seems to us reading the verses and I don’t know about you, but I’m not all that different from the sheep sometimes.

Looking at this from another angle, I am recalling Jesus with His disciples in the temple.  You’ll recall He saw a poor widow giving all she had in the temple “collection plate” so to speak.  Jesus noticed and was so pleased.  We know this., yet did He walk over to her and speak love, blessing, and encouragement to her?  No, He spoke of this in encouragement to His disciples.  Why?  It didn’t mean His love for her was diminished, but clearly she didn’t need the encouragement.  She was of strong faith.  The disciples needed the teaching, the encouragement.  He gave them what they needed.

Pretty interesting, don’t you think?  As I pondered these things, I realized some . . . many ways the Lord has given to me and yet I worried still and wondered “where are you, Lord?”  I cried out “help me” and “let me know your peace” and all the while He had His loving, healing hand on me.  As I look back, I can see such time wasted worrying and in retrospect can see that my problems were solved long before I quit stressing over them.  I can see so much lost sleep over things He had all worked out.  I wasn’t like the widow, who was of strong faith and knew all would be well.  I need to be more like her.  Miracles happen every day.  We don’t always notice, or I don’t . . .  so I ask again, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear, does it make a sound?  You decide.

by Martha L Shaw – words and images Copyright 11-19-2012