Late Spring Writer by Tina Yeager

Late Spring Writer

by Tina Yeager

“…For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them”

(Isaiah 65:22-23, NIV).

I had almost killed that tree.

As I gazed through my back window every morning, I frowned at the bare-limbed eyesore looming by the deck. The wooded lot surrounding us flourished with green buds, flowering branches, and lush foliage. All our arbors had fulfilled their spring functions except for the scraggly, lone trunk nearest our house. I often considered having the tree cut down. A nest of sparrows in the crux of its upper boughs interceded, so I granted a stay of execution.

Today, I crossed the deck through a fading coat of pollen left by the other trees’ fruition. I leaned out to inspect the sparrows’ nest and their undistinguished refuge. A closer look revealed hints of green. Buds sprouted along the spindly limbs of the tree that had for so long seemed devoid of hope.

What I counted as dead, now stood before me alive and productive. This tree had not failed, but simply took longer to enter its season.

Another paper-related subject suffers a similar risk of condemnation. Amid a landscape of fruitful creatives around me, I could judge my writing dreams as hopeless. I often frown at my lack of book leaves and doubt my right to remain rooted among who appear superior.

Yet the Lord planted me in this space. If he has not ordered the axe to strike my calling down, who am I to kill what he has ordained for life?

After all, the Lord has a history of performing miraculous resurrections in late spring. Scripture testifies to his fruitful work with Sarah, Moses, and Elizabeth despite their age. He appointed  two former demoniacs and a multi-divorced Samaritan woman as his first evangelists. Hopeless and doomed by human standards, each grew to serve God’s purpose to bless countless souls.

The Lord reminds me of those who nest in the branches of my current and unbudded work. I must not give up on my calling and risk harming others’ hearts in its felling. His love roots me in place and sustains me to stay the course.

The words could spring forth with beautiful purpose in the season of his perfect timing. In Christ, I have hope for resurrection in my writing journey. I choose to trust the Lord for fruition. My expectations to produce like other creatives must fade like pollen dust in the wind of his breath. No matter how long my limbs remain bare, I can rejoice in his arms.

Lord, thank you for encouraging my heart to persevere. Please help me to remain rooted in your love where I stand so I can bless others as I wait. I cherish your faithfulness and entrust my dreams to your perfect will and timing. Amen. 

Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach, Tina hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast a YouTube channel, and the Flourish Today radio show. She serves as membership director for Christian Women in Media Association, on the marketing team for STRUCK the Series Streaming TV show, and as Director of Traditional Groups with Word Weavers International. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.