Here in Texas we are not normally equipped for winter weather. Just before I wrote this article, we were seeing 80-degree afternoons. A few days later, however, a very cold front brought in some very frigid temperatures — in the low 20s — and we even had to deal with blackouts. What a difference a day makes.

Accompanying that cold front were some very heavy winds, with distinct howling and whipping noises I could hear from indoors. Suddenly, I heard a very loud cracking sound.

I ventured outside to survey my property, and to my surprise I saw a tree toppled over in my yard. I was shocked to see how those powerful winds had snapped the tree at its base.

This particular tree had been dying: Half was vibrant, while the other half had branches that were bare and no longer producing. For months, I had hoped the tree would recover, but it never did.

Coincidentally, the entire tree didn’t come down, but only the dead half. If that part hadn’t come down that way, eventually the whole tree would have been a loss.

As I stared at that tree, I felt the Lord speaking prophetically to me.

I don’t know about you, but my 2022 was one for books, and not in the best of ways. This year I felt as if I were, like that old tree, completely stripped down. At times I have felt as if my prayers were fruitless. The degree of warfare I faced had left me discouraged, exhausted, speechless. At other times, my prayers felt liquid — no words, just tears. Praise God — He understands the language of tears and groanings.  Read more>>>