I have been experiencing what I believe is known as “writer’s block.” All the ideas for a project I’m working on are there, but they just won’t come together. I keep getting distracted, can’t concentrate and things haven’t been falling into place. I decided today that tidying my office would clear my mind and give me a better space to work. As I reached for the pile of papers on the window ledge, I noticed the three Willow Tree figurines. I mainly noticed them, because one toppled onto the floor…more about that later!
Each Willow Tree figurine has a name, so as a further distraction, I reminded myself what the three figurines were called. I’m so pleased I did as it prompted me to write these thoughts, clear the cobwebs in my head and speak some truth into the places that needed it.
Holding her candle the figurine on the left is named Vigil. She is keeping watch and praying through the dark hours of the night. In recent months there have been many nights where sleep has been a struggle. Rather than actively keeping watch and praying, I have let my mind wander into the “what ifs?” of life. After a day full of busyness, it can often be when our head hits the pillow that the troubles of the day land in our minds. There are no distractions, no tasks to complete, just silence. The vigil becomes one of worry instead of prayer. In our dark sleepless nights, we can find hope in these words:
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:12
When sleep evades me, I will turn the night into a vigil, watching and praying for God to work through my life and the situations that challenge me.
Stretching her arm to the sky, the figurine on the right is named Shine. Although I am clear about the calling on my life, I often have moments of doubt about whether I can fulfil it. I’m sure many of you feel the same. It’s not a lack of faith in God; it’s more our genuine surprise that we were chosen for the task in the first place. Writer’s block is the perfect breeding ground for these doubts, and I start to question the validity of the particular way God has asked me to shine. This figurine reminded me that it’s God’s light that shines in me, not my own. The only thing I need to do is the thing He called me to do. If it’s for His glory, then His light will shine through me…and you!
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
In the centre of the picture is the figurine named, “A tree, a prayer.”
“But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God, I trust in the loving-kindness of God forever and ever.”
Psalm 52:8
It was this figurine that took a tumble. My little angel now has wonky wings. The ornaments are back on the window ledge, but I decided not to straighten the wings. For me, they are the perfect reminder of my imperfect faith. The tree reminds me that I am rooted and grounded in a love that will pursue me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6) and the clasped hands remind me to trust in God’s understanding rather than my own.
Lessons learned…
Keep a prayerful vigil through the night.
Let your life shine for His glory.
Trust in the loving-kindness of God.
Kay Moorby
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