Branches

Branches

Once while walking down a narrow, pebbled road

With greenery and trees stretched as far as the eye could see

I noticed a branch, bent and lonely but budding with spring

I thought to myself how can this be?

The branch itself, although not old, had seen better days

And yet it flourished with beautiful flowers

It had been tossed and battered through summer storms and winter chills

Yet, here in spring it produced larger and more brilliant blossoms

Than the sturdier and healthier looking branches

I noticed a Robin had just built her nest on the tattered branch

Obviously, the poor bird had faith in it’s stregnth

But I myself had to wonder

The more I looked, the more I wondered

Then the Lord reminded me

On Calvary they thought the grave would hold me

Why would it not?

To them I was but a commoner, a carpenter even a blasphemer

But to those who know me I am life, love and the rose of Sharon

God also reminded me that sometimes the most common and tired of all

Are His strongest and knowledgeable workers

For they are the ones through all trials and tribulations

Have called on the Father

Oh the winds of life have bruised and battered them,

Maybe they even strayed in temptation, but

The good Shepard was there leading them back to the flock

And they cleaved to him, thanking him for his mercy and love

In return the Master prepared for them mansions and crowns

I looked back at that branch once more

This time I did not see the bent and stressed specimen

I had first observed

In fact, I saw strength that held the Robin’s home

Smelled the fragrance from the blossoms it bestowed

The bends and twists were lifted towards the sun not because it was weak but because that was it’s nourishment for life

And then I asked for forgiveness for judging,

For it is not my job to judge anyone but myself

And I reached for the Son for He is my nourishment for life

And only through the Son may we reach the Father.

Starlene Michelle Worley

StarleneMichelleWorley©April4,2005