even when you're stuck, you're not stuck

This is a picture I took a few years back. My wife had noticed that on the backyard fence of the home we were renting how a tree branch had gotten caught in the chain links. The picture may not do it justice, because it wasn't just randomly stuck - in the process of it trying to grow it had encountered the fence, and as the fence contained it the tree merely just kept on trying to grow.

We were moved by it because in many ways it had grown to represent our lives in that season. As a family, we felt like we were going through some of our deepest trials while all we wanted to do was simply grow.

Maybe you can identify... maybe you know what it's like to feel stuck in a piece of fence.

And what it feels like to want to give up and assume that's the end of the story.

So often we try to control the uncontrollable.

And we can't.

What we can control, though, is if we will keep on blooming.

This is absolutely in our courts, for the "weather" does not need to determine the "climate."

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Some days the fight isn't as brutal as the perception of silence.

This past Sunday my amazing wife shared a glimpse of that and how it felt for us during this time. I'd invite you to give it a listen here: http://207.45.180.229/connectionchurch/icast/2009/070509_katiemyles.mp3

Remember, Jesus has come to set us free and give us life - to connect us to the Father.

So don't just "hang in there," but instead hang on to Him...

and keep on stretching...

allowing your loving God to grow you...


And you will see some fruit...

just a little bit further down the fence.

Fruit that isn't obstructed,

but is ripe for the picking and blesses all.


Including the next generation of journeymen.


Because of Jesus, even when you're "stuck,"

you're not stuck.