But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:18 KJV
A few weeks ago, we paid a man to cut the tree behind our house down to a smaller and more manageable size. Because of the small space between our home and the one behind us it had to be done, but the bare and stumpy looking limbs left behind were not so wonderful to look at. My original dismay was softened considerably yesterday when I went out to sit on our back porch and saw that the mockingbird who often chose to regularly visit our tree had come back. He was not at all disturbed by the changes to our poor tree. He just flew in, perched on one of the stumps and proceeded to sing his usual song!
I do not know what has been going on in your life during the pandemic but in mine it sometimes feels as if things have been ruthlessly chopped away just like what happened with our tree. Maybe my bird friend is teaching us all that God is still God and no matter what things look like we can sing. We can bless the Lord both in good times and in bad because He is worthy of praise. Even if we must perch on the stumpy branches left in our life to sing our melody, remember that God is listening. Just as He was the God of the pruning so He will also be the God of new life and we can praise Him because our tree will one day bud again and then flower and grow forevermore!
praise2worshipdotnet 
Pruning can be painful….but it is on so worth it!
Oh yes how painful it is on the moment! But God knows what He is doing!
Great comparison, Pastor Pete. I wonder if a mockingbird ever wakes up in the morning and says, “I don’t feel like singing today?” I rather doubt it. Bird sing-rain or shine-because that’s what God made them to do. We should be more like our feathered friends.
Last fall I severely pruned a plum tree in my backyard, so I identify with this post. I too am waiting for spring to see it bud and blossom and begin its recovery. Pandemic recovery is on its way too. I feel it in my bones.
Amen we are all learning to trust God more in our pruning time. I pray we will remember our lessons when Spring returns.
What a timely and beautiful picture God gave you to share with us! May we all remember your mockingbird when we don’t feel like singing because of our surroundings.
Thanks Patty. He sang so loud and long that I actually made a video of about a minute of it so I can listen to it again!
That’s really cool!