A question for God

By  Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

I posed a question while praying, “God, is there anything in me that You would like to see changed?”

Flash back to nine or so months ago: Our most beautiful tree (shaped like a Y, full of lush, green strong and tender branches and leaves) started turning yellowish. We planted it at the back of the property 30 some years ago when we built our home. It was a remarkable piece of nature’s art and it filled the area between our yard and the backyard of the home beyond us. Privacy was one of its greatest offerings.

Prayers began for the tree as I fretted for months—finally saying, “OK. The tree is Yours, Lord. But, PLEASE heal it. PLEASE don’t let it die.” Then I would watch and start worrying, again , as it looked more emasiated than ever. Watching this tree grow to its fullness, then flourish, has been a huge part of our patio life for 33 years.

We had the Havasu Master Gardeners out. They found no beetles, grubs or bugs, no reason for this tree to change like this. They advised “More water, less often.” So, trenches were dug around the tree and watering practices changed. Just in case, we treated it with Neem and fertilized as usual.

All that time I was unaware of my strongly felt need to not see what was behind the tree. That owner was new to us. We knew the previous neighbor and talked on our walks, but she passed. So, people from another state moved in, having more vehicles than the front yard could handle, so we could see the extras through our now thinning tree. More and more prayers for the tree.

One day when I looked in the direction of our backyard, I stopped. You know how a “mental light globe” can turn on, right? Well, this one was super bright. I thought, “That’s my neighbor!” Then the Scripture, “Love thy neighbor as thyself” showed up in my mind as if on a big screen!

I was suddenly struck with the truth that I had not gone over during the past year to meet and greet them. My mind had been on the importance of privacy and having a beautiful, flourishing backyard tree. Needless to say, I was praying differently now. “God, please forgive me!” I wrote a note telling of us being their neighbor and how we were wanting to get to know them. As I knocked, little children push aside a window curtain. Yeah, a little family lives here. The door to my heart was opening for these, my neighbors. The door opens—Aha—a father answers while holding back a good-sized dog. He reached around and accepted my hand-written note.

Returning home my feelings for a family living beyond our backyard were alive and well–entirely different than I expected. Presently, whenever I look at my trees I, also, can pray for this little family for their hearts to be warmed and their needs to be met.

Guess what? In a couple of weeks those yellow branches began to show new green growth. It took a month to believe the tree could make it. Now, it is taller, wider and becoming wondrous again. Imagine it—God could see what was needed.

About the author: Joy Le page Smith, MA is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain. Visit Healing-with-Joy.com for Joy’s blog along with many helpful articles addressing life’s difficulties. Her books and blogs are read in up to 32 countries.