I don’t Know if you’ve ever been there, but about the time I was really growing up [28 or so] I went through this wilderness period in my life. Looking back I realize that it was a continuous series of changes, all good, that turned my world upside down and somehow landed me in the wilderness. It was a place where I felt hopeless, powerless to control my circumstances, and although I was never alone, totally desolate. It was there in the wilderness, at the end of my journey, that I first experienced the presence of God in an undeniable, discernible way.
I came to the point where I was wandering around the desert and crying out to God to send someone, anyone, who would understand me, a true friend. I was dying of thirst and hungry for answers to all of life’s wrenching questions. Also I knew I should be back in church, and I would challenge God to send someone to invite me to the right church, after all who would know better?
Well, God arose to the challenge and next thing I know Teresa saunters into my life. She was bright, cheery, and didn’t seem to have a burden in the world. Oh don’t get me wrong, she had her fair share of problems, she just didn’t have any burdens. She was a vibrant tree of life, a shade tree, and full of ripe juicy fruit! Now let me tell you, there is nothing more refreshing in the desert than a Juicyfruit Tree, except rain perhaps, but that comes later.
So needless to say, I gobbled it up every chance I got. It was becoming fairly obvious to me that Teresa’s vigor was coming from a higher source, so when she invited me to church I replied with my usual response. “Is it one of those freaky-deeky Holy Roller churches?” “Yeah! It’s great! You’ll love it!” she exclaimed. “Well, I’m not comfortable in churches like that.” “No offence, of course.” I responded.
So the weeks passed on, and I’m still wandering around in the desert questioning and challenging God. “Lord I’m beginning to see that You are what is missing in my life, why don’t You just send someone to invite me to the right church?” “EXCUSE ME, HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO SEND?” Whoa, was that God, Speaking to me? “I HAVE SENT MORE PEOPLE THAN YOU CAN COUNT, BUT SINCE THEY DIDN’T OFFER SOMETHING YOU’RE ACCUSTOMED TO, YOU DIDN’T LISTEN.” “DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT IT MAY BE TIME FOR A CHANGE?” Well, there wasn’t a whole lot I could say at that point, besides, I was still stunned at the fact that I heard God speak. I could just see Him up there thinking, “Wow, she’s thickheaded, I guess I’d better help her figure this one out.”
I was up bright and early the next Sunday [quite an accomplishment for me] and called Teresa to see what the church times were. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I can’t make it today.”, she apologized. “Thats okay” I said, “I wanna go anyway.” So I did, and the strangest thing happened.
The moment I walked in the door I was enveloped in God’s Presence. Tears just started pouring down my face, and every tear brought healing. I don’t even remember what the sermon was about. I just wanted to bask in God’s presence and allow his living waters to quench my thirsty soul. For the first time in my life I actually felt the Holy Spirit raining down on me, and that rain brought life back to my desert.
I now know what made Teresa a Juicyfruit Tree, it is the fruit of the Spirit of God, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.[Gal.5:22-23] Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” [John 15:4-5]
He also said, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[Matt. 11:28-30] Therefore I urge you to taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man that trusts in Him.[Psalm 34:8] “For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush” [Luke 6:44]
i see His strength grow in your writings with every new entry. Awesome.