God with Us

My wife and I have retired to a home in the mountains that is surrounded by large rhododendron shrubs. In the spring, these shrubs are covered with colorful clusters of pink flowers. Their dark green leaves are evergreen throughout the year. But in the winter, particularly on frosty nights when the temperature drops below freezing, the leaves become even darker and collapse around the stems. They almost look as if they are drying up and dying. But as the day warms up, the leaves return to their robust shape, opening back up and regaining their original color and appearance.

One winter day as my wife and I walked our dog, we witnessed this apparent return to life by the leaves of the rhododendrons. It reminded us that life can at times overwhelm and burden us — with illness, injury, debt, broken relationships, or other hardships. But God is always there to revive us, comfort us, and bring peace to our minds, souls, and spirits.