...and make the dry tree flourish.

               Ezekiel 17. 24

(No matter the struggle,

no matter the dismal landscape,

in spite of the drought,

beyond how it appears,

God's faithfulness

   is producing fruitfulness.

We have only to

          trust Him

          even in this.

With God,

   this is never

   the end of the story.

God redeems

     in ways we cannot

     even imagine.

God brings flourishing

  far deeper than

  what is on the surface.

We can choose despair

    or the Almighty.

God is working still.)

O LORD,

When all looks rather bleak,

help us to trust You

            all the more.

This is not the end of the story

   but only the exciting part

   of Your redeeming.

We cannot comprehend

  the vastness of Your work.

We see a dry withered tree.

You see a deep green forest.

We live only in the now.

But Your grand narrative

             is forever.

Redeem, O LORD,

             for Your glory.

May trusting You

   be our first response.