Last week I was clearing these pesky, thorny vines from the chicken wire around our old strawberry patch. It seemed that it should be easy to just cut them at the ground, and pull them out of the fence! But no. I had the same problem trying to pull the same kind of vines down out of a pine tree in the front yard a few days before. It took a lot more muscle power than I was expecting it to!
What isn’t so obvious at first is the way the vines hold onto whatever they’re climbing. These little tendrils blended right in with the chicken wire!
They grab hold of their scaffold and continue growing towards the sun . . . and quickly, I might add! Strong winds and my tugs are no match for these vines’ ability to hang on. I had to cut each individual tendril so that I didn’t ruin the fencing.
So of course, that got me thinking.
We are in the midst of a global storm. In the midst of the winds blowing around us, what scaffolding are the tendrils of our hearts attached to?
There are a lot of ways society is changing right now, and many of the effects are unexpected. One of my sons works at an office supply store. You’d think they’d be losing money, right? Nope. They’re making just as much money, but now selling more electronics–computers and accessories–to those who have been forced to work from home.
My other son works at a fast-food restaurant. No restaurants in the state are allowed to serve dine-in meals for now, but can provide delivery or take-out. Their store income has been drastically cut.
My daughter provides childcare at a gym in another state. Gyms are closed, so she’s got no income from there at this point.
Churches are navigating the waters of moving to online communication instead of holding services each week.
Parents are working from home while trying to keep their kids up on their schoolwork, as well as keeping them fed.
Stores are limiting the number of items shoppers can buy in one trip.
Retirement accounts are dropping in value.
Life has changed.
But should we be frightened? Should we be emotionally or spiritually knocked down by the winds howling around us?
I think that depends on the scaffolding we’re attached to! If our peace of mind depends on our savings account (or our toilet paper supply) or the status of our health, we’re going to fall apart if those areas of life are affected.
I have a suggestion. Get into the Word of God, and grab hold of his promises. No matter what comes your way in this season, He is steady, faithful and true!
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:2 NLT
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Lauri Hawley 