The View, Part II

Note: In Brazil, there are no lemons--only limes. The Portuguese word for limes directly translates into English as "lemon." So, in our home, we always refer to what is technically a lime tree as a "lemon" tree--hence the name of this blog and the reason there are limes in the pictures instead of lemons.

I open the metal shutters leading to our bedroom balcony. Sunlight and the cool morning breeze flood in. I step out to breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun. So many days since the sun has shone--so many, many rainy days. I look out over the top of the lemon tree to the house-dotted horizon beyond. As I scan the view, something catches my eye. I blink for clarity, squint to focus. There, in the top of the lemon tree, a cluster of lemons. I broaden my scope and realize the view is vastly different from up here. Looking down I can see the top of the tree is in full bloom—lemons, large and round, perch in the branches speckled with green leaves. The view from above is so different from below.

And these words come to mind:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

From down below, looking up, I saw no fruit. My earthly eyes see so many other things: the pain, the loss, the failure, the waiting, the wounds, the wanting. But from below, I see only half of the picture, only those things that are most immediate. Oh, to be able to always see from above—the hidden fruit, the spiritual fruit, the hope that is Life. True Life . . . The One who made the lemon tree cares for it and causes it to bear fruit in its season . . . The One who rescues from life-draining caterpillars and ant infestations . . . The One who rescues me from my own sin and short-sightedness . . . The One who says:

Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters . . .
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
So is My word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return to Me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed. (from Isaiah 55 NIV)

And I know what my New Year’s resolution is: Return. Return and rest in the Promise--a promise that He will satisfy . . . there will be joy. . . I can have peace . . . and He will replace the briers, whether they be the briers of a barren womb or the briers of a bitter soul, with fragrant, fruitful trees. So, I return to where I began almost ten years ago--trusting God with my fertility and family growth. Trusting, this time, without getting tangled up in my own agenda and expectations--trusting: ten children or two. And so I return and rest and wait . . . and watch the lemon tree from the bedroom balcony.

And the view from up here looks pretty good!