Here at Hargreaves Towers we are not blessed with acres of green but we do have the odd pot here and there, including this beauty. Its some kind of acer I think. we bought it a long time ago for Father's Day. To say it has struggled to reach its potential is a bit of an understatement - mainly because it probably shouldn't be in this small pot. Anyway, it does go a lovely colour in Autumn and has been known to become almost lush in the summer. What you can't see in the photo is that, a few years ago, we began to hang things on the tree. Nothing much, just the odd memento from nice places we have been - things we want to remember. Like I say though, when the tree is all lush - you can't see anything hanging on it.
This is the tree at the moment. It's not as pretty - I'll give you that and the gardener should certainly be giving some thought to tidying up that back wall but - when its like this you can see all the hanging bits and pieces much clearer. All the memories are easier to see and despite the lack of attractive foliage, the tree has a certain charm (maybe only if you actually know what the ornaments relate to but that's your problem, not mine.)
Anyway, it sort of made me think about something I had read from Spurgeon which I'll post at the end. When things are bad and all we are struggling with stuff then somehow, when everything is stripped away, that's the time to focus on memories and the good that God has done for you. The things that you know to be true because you have experienced it and maybe need to be remembered. Sometimes, it can feel like these past experiences are all you have left but if He did it then He can surely do it again. Spurgeon puts it much better than I can
There must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of his mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did he not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did he not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before, and did he not deliver thee? Arise, go to the river of thine experience, and pull up a few bulrushes, and plait them into an ark, wherein thine infant--faith--may float safely on the stream. Forget not what thy God has done for thee; turn over the book of thy remembrance, and consider the days of old. Hast thou never been helped in time of need? Nay, I know thou hast. Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away. "Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been ever of old."
