The Natural Way — Strange handiwork
By Janice Stramel
Friday, November 6, 2009 10:52 AM PST
Sometimes, by some strange way, a phenomenon takes place that cannot be explained. It can be wonderful or disastrous. Or it can be wonder-full. See if you have an answer to my story.
Early this evening there was a knock on the door. I was elbow deep into preparing dinner, so my husband answered it, and the visitor was our neighbor.
He asked her to come in, but she had another plan for the three of us. She requested that we take a short walk with her to see what she had discovered. I rummaged around and found my shoes and grabbed my jacket. She wouldn’t give us a clue, just took the lead.
We followed her up our lane and across their alfalfa field with a couple of yellow cats joining in the jaunt. The walk ended under her naked pear tree. Well, nearly naked. There were a few brown, shriveled up pears tenaciously clinging to the branches and several dried leaves still hanging on.
But, upon closer examination, we saw what she wanted us to see. Tiny, white blossoms dotted the bare branches here and there all the way to the top. I am not kidding! Perfect spring blooms. Flowers on a barren, dormant tree.
The promise of fruit? Go figure. We stood in awe and wonder. Staring. Breathless. What would you have done?
Do you ever wonder what God is up to? Especially at times like this. You question: Is this a sign of something? What is he trying to say to us? Or is this just an unexpected gift he dropped down on us? What does it all mean?
Every now and then, some sweet surprise comes my way. And this was certainly one of those times.
I love neighbors who are in tune with God and his marvelous creations. She knew we would be amazed right along with her.
Thank God for neighbors who take the time to share his glories with each other. Maybe he simply wanted us to get together and be amazed at his strange handiwork.
Or maybe he knew I needed something for a column this week.
Who knows? Do you?
For comments or questions regarding this column, contact Janice at Christian Counseling Services, 100 S. Iowa Ave., Fruitland, ID 83619, (208) 452-4378. The views and opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer.
