See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? - Isaiah 43:19
The warm sunshine and intoxicating autumn leaves drew my husband and I into the woods for a long afternoon walk. We roamed our acres of aspen, birch, maple and evergreens through vibrant canopies of colors and fallen leaves beneath our feet. As we traveled back to our house, I spotted an apple in the leaves on the ground. We wondered how a single apple appeared in the middle of our forest until we looked up to see the most unexpected, full-grown tree, overflowing with fruit! We had walked this piece of land for 30 years, never noticing the apple tree growing nearby. Yet there it stood, in all its abundance!
What a great reminder that not everything God is doing is immediately visible to us. Some things grow quietly and unnoticed, over time, until one day we are able to see the fruit. Our lives with God can be much the same. Through ordinary days, difficult seasons, and years of walking by faith, He continues to work in ways we may not recognize until much later. And, sometimes, He surprises us by revealing something beautiful in a place we thought we already knew.
The discovery of this apple tree reminds us to keep our eyes open, our hearts grateful, and our faith firmly rooted in Him.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, give us eyes to see Your goodness, patience to trust Your timing, and lives that bear fruit for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.