"The words are like an acorn from which an oak tree can grow." 

-Eugene Peterson

On the side of our house is an oak tree. It is large and has a round canopy. It looks like the picture of a perfect oak tree. When I cut the grass and it is very hot, I will take a break and stand under its shade. The branches are so thick that it almost feels dark under the tree. It is certainly much cooler than being out in the direct sunlight. If there is any breeze, it is very pleasant. It reminds me of summers when I was a kid and we spent most of our days outside. We naturally gravitated toward the shade of large trees such as this one when we needed to sit down and take a break.

It takes a long time to grow an oak tree like the one in my yard. The words by Eugene Peterson above remind us that such magnificent trees began small - with an acorn. I find those words encouraging and daunting at the same time. When I am in the early stages of a new ministry or program, "acorn thinking" helps me to imagine what this acorn could grow to be - like a large oak tree. On the other hand, I realize that real growth takes time. This applies to humans, churches, and about everything else. Often I am impatient. I want maturity - and I want it now! But that is not the way it works. Maybe this is where faith can enter in. We can trust God to bring the growth over time where it is needed. So, we do not need to worry or be anxious. We can simply trust God with the outcomes of our lives, our work - even the whole world. So may God bless the good acorns you are planting here now, to become oak trees in the years to come!

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, show us where we need to plant and nurture acorns today that will grow into oak trees tomorrow. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.