“All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.” 
— Ezekiel 17:24 (NIV)

Let Me tell you what I see . . .
     You see dead twigs, but I see kindling.
     You see broken glass, but I see a kaleidoscope.
          You see discarded seed, but I see an orchard.
          You see rain, but I see a garden.
               You see the sick, but I see transformed.
               You see a grave, but I see heaven.
                    I see more than you see. Trust, what only I can see.

A couple years ago life was paused as I experienced a season of chronic hives. I spent unplanned, extended time in the recliner trying various medications, hoping to reverse the raging spread over my entire body. 

At the time, a local Christian ministry had asked me to write a book of prayers for them to publish, originally intended as a gift for donors. Because of the hives, I had extra time to write — not the way I would have orchestrated the writing time, but it worked. Also, I wrote from a place of need that wouldn’t have been there had life been normal.

God doesn't look at life circumstances the way we do. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, “'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'” (NIV).

He sees so much more and His thoughts are so much bigger than ours. My limitations do not hold Him back. He is God, after all.

In the Old Testament, we discover that He can make low trees grow tall (Ezekiel 17:24 NIV) and He breathes new life into dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-9 NIV). In the New Testament, we learn that He can raise the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV). His Spirit brings life to what looks lifeless to me.

With God, there is abundance of provision — spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically, to do what He wants to do. His plans and purposes can happen even when it looks impossible.

God can take anything and make it work for good. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV).

What looks like the end, may be the beginning when we entrust our cares to Him. Wasted years can be reclaimed for His good purposes and what looks like a life-altering illness can be redeemed in ways we can’t imagine.

Chronic hives can become a book of honest, heartfelt prayers.

What sits waiting to be reclaimed in your life? Entrust the unexpected setbacks to Him and watch for the impossible.

Thank you, Lord, that You are not limited by what I see. You work all things for good, for those who love You and live for Your purposes. Nothing is impossible for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

(photo by Patty Perkins, Colorado)