Prayer of a Redwood

God of seeds and God of land

Please send my seeds across the land

May they cover the filth of man

And grow strong and tall.

Last summer, while on a walk, I came to a small grove of two redwood trees. Massive trees that litter the ground with soft, quieting needles create a peaceful feeling. What could such wonders want? So I asked one, in my own quiet way, if I could pray with it. I was surprised at the answer.in writing it down, I continue to pray with it.

The Walk in the Forgiveness Dream

The dream began with me walking along a dusty road in Northern California on a hot day. I looked around as I walked at the dry yellowed grass, the leafy green oaks and the dusty trail. I was on a hillside. It was a familiar scene.

Oh! Jesus appeared! He was coming quickly and strongly up the hillside to the trail! What did He look like? Well, He looked a lot like Dave, but that's no help to you. So, let's say that He looked lanky and strong with long blonde hair and light skin. I did wonder briefly about that, but then, suddenly, He was right in front of me and I had to worship Him, or so I thought. He shushed me.
"What's on your back?" He asked pleasantly.
I turned to look. I had not realized before that anything was on my back. I took off  the oldest, dirtiest backpack I had ever seen!
But Jesus was here so quickly I turned to face Him again.
"You will have to get rid of it to put this on." He pulled from behind His back a yoke, like for oxen.
I hated to take my eyes off Him, so I quickly drop-kicked it away, turning again before it hit the ground.
Then He hitched us both to the yoke and we were walking, bent over, down the dusty road. I was happy, although I could barely see Him. He was with me!
"What are we pulling?" I wondered suddenly.
"Look and see!" He answered.
It was difficult to turn my head back in the yolk, but with a little wiggling I managed.
There was a huge stack, a whole wagon full of old backpacks just like the one I had!

I awoke from the shock, and had another shock waiting for me.

Before the dream I had been praying, because I felt I would never be able to forgive Ed for things he had done. I had cried out to God, and fell asleep. Now that I was awake, I could not even remember what had caused me so much pain. The anger, the memories were gone, just like that old backpack.

The Walk from the Grocery Store

The grocery store is not far from my home, and I almost always walk it. This day I had overloaded myself with three bags of groceries, and that was mainly because I been used to coming with a child or two in a stroller, and today all three of my little ones were home with their Papa.

This was a First! God is number One and so Firsts are always a reminder to praise Him. So, weighed down by heavy bags, I silently praised my number One and started across the street.

In the middle of the street I saw Him! He came from the other side and met me at the corner! He was Big, oh, as Big as the trees! And I was scared, in awe. No one had discussed in church what to do or say if He appears. I blathered praise like a brown-nosing idiot.

He hushed me, and spoke about what happened when I was very young. He helped me remember those dark days, and said He did it. That confused me. He was behind the that pain? Then He asked if I forgave Him? Of course I said I did! It was Him! He said  He created those holes in me so He would shine out. Then He repeated what He said, going over it a second time.

Suddenly, I was alone, standing at the next corner, and the bags were heavy. It was as if I had walked through a doorway and He shut it behind me.

Yes, that really happened, or at least, it seemed to happen. Who was He?  I did not ask, and He did not say. Why did He come? Simply to tell me that He causes the deep dark times because He has a bigger plan, and that I need to forgive Him? I guess so, and it has helped me when even darker times has forced me to trust Him. I hope the message helps you too.

This blog is a first too. Praise to the One! Praise to the awesome Savior!