They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3b
Strength is what I long for on the days when inside I feel alone and weak. When my emotions run high or low and nothing can comfort. When there are no words and I have no confidence. The days I want to give up and just go to bed. When nothing seems right and every step wrong.
It’s in these moments, or in the days to come when I remember this verse that I love. I want to be an oak. Strong, sturdy, able to withstand the wind and fire. To bring new life every spring and to rest every winter. I want my roots to bury deeper into the knowledge of God and my branches reach out to shelter and comfort others. I realize that I cannot do this on my own, my strength is at best weak. I need to remember to call upon the one that healed me and comforted me in my time of need when no one else could. When no one could say the words I needed to hear. I heard His words.
My healing journey hasn’t been easy and it still continues, but the truth God has imparted on me remains a constant. I have received beauty from the ashes, freedom for the captives, comfort for my mourning, my broken heart bound. He has restored the places long devastated, rebuilt the ancient ruins. He loved me when I was nothing and raised me up out of the miry pit and put my feet upon solid ground. He gave me life when I was dead. Yes, that is what I want to remember.