Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21
If you know me, you know of my desire to publish my
children’s Christmas book, The Prettiest
Sight to See: A Story of the Holly
Wreath. You may also know that some
of my friends gave me a beautiful berry-laden holly bush for Christmas last
year and that I planted it in a symbolic act of faith, trusting God to bring a
fruitful harvest. As suggested, I
planted the tree alongside my driveway so I would see the gentle reminder every
time I drove by. In front of the holly,
I positioned a yard ornament emblazoned “Believe.” Perfect!
Several months passed by, and without fail, each time I
passed I turned my eyes toward the shrub, believing one day my prayer would be
answered. Then one day I noticed that
the once beautiful plant with lush green foliage polka dotted with red was bare. I gasped. What
happened?! A few scraggly brown
sticks was all that remained. What does this mean, God? Certainly my dream hasn’t died, has it? I believed, God. Why would You allow my
symbol of hope to succumb?