It caught me by surprise when I came home to find a large limb from our Bradford pear tree lying across most of the backyard. It had fallen on its own—no storm, no strong wind, just gave way.
I couldn’t help but think about how people, too, can break under the weight of daily stress or the pressure of a crisis that refuses to ease up. The tree had been burdened by top-heavy branches, dense with leaves. Isn’t that how we often go through life—carrying problems that never seem to lighten?
Yet the tree still stands, its roots deep in the ground. Maybe it will adapt to the loss, continue growing despite what’s missing. Or maybe it won’t recover and will eventually need to be cut down.
Like the tree, we face moments of breakage. But we also have the capacity to endure. We can stay rooted, stay faithful, and keep moving forward.
Are you resilient like a tree?
This is the same tree taken in earlier days in all four seasons, beginning with spring, summer, fall, and winter. I love this photograph!
Reminds me of my daughter’s dear friend who came to visit with her just this past week to celebrate their 50th Birthdays together. Her friend lost her limbs several years ago as a result of septic shock. My daughter shared with me today that her friend with one prosthetic foot, one partial foot and two prosthetic hands is the strongest person she’s ever known! Fiercely independent she and her spouse have raised 5 children and she has her own private counseling practice.
Thank you for sharing this about someone who overcame a disability. As this brave woman has done, we can find strength in a crisis.