The oak limbs always looked so majestic as they swayed with the brisk winds of spring storms. I watched this strong oak tree quickly grow from a younger sapling all the way to early adulthood. It had lush green leaves that were perky and green in the spring and would give way to a breathtaking reddish brown in the fall. My daughters have both tied ribbons around this tree, used it as home base in aggressive games of tag, and tried to climb it on numerous occasions. Our family dogs have even treed many squirrels in this beautiful part of our landscape. 

Oaks are known for their strength and resilience and this one was no different. That was, until a fateful spring storm blew through our lives and a bolt of lightning took away the top of it. From this point we were able to shape it up, trim the dead limbs and help it continue to live for another storm season. 

The next a series of spring storms had their way with our majestic white oak tree. My youngest daughter jokingly said, “These storms are taking her down limb for limb, there will soon be nothing left.” I took this as a personal challenge to help our white oak live her best life. With every storm that blew our way we would work meticulously to revive the torn and tattered tree. 

Even though our white oak was losing her looks, losing her limbs and barely alive birds and squirrels still found refuge in what was left. Earlier this year, without a warning, a strong storm blew through during the middle of the night and had its sights set on the white oak. With one large flash of lightning that lit up the entire sky, we officially said goodbye to our back yard buddy. There was literally nothing left. Except, for the trunk. 

The trunk had large chunks of it blown out and the bark was already turning a dead shade of brown. She lived a long good life, housed many varieties of birds, and gave refuge to squirrels. I just shook my head as I added removing the now ugly tree to my to-do list. 

Saturday after Saturday I would make my way to the back yard for coffee and watch the activity around the white oak. I believe, even in its ugly state, that it had more bird traffic than ever. I counted no less than twelve birds on this tree on any given day. Completely amazed that wildlife is still making good use of it, I have not taken it down yet. 

Just like this tree that has been the target of many storms, life can send us just as many. We may feel ugly inside and like we are losing parts of ourselves with every disturbance that comes our way. We may even feel like it is time to just give up because there is nothing left except a trunk. But, we serve a savior who uses what’s left to move mountains and change hearts. He can always use you, no matter what condition you are in. You may feel like you are an ugly tree and there is nothing left for you until God shows you that you are still useful and beautiful. 

“My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”

2 Corinthians 12:9