ATTACHED

As Lauren and I were driving on the highway today I couldn’t help but notice the ice covered trees.  Their limbs were heavy with the ice that had fallen upon them during the night.  Some were still standing upright, while others were bent.  There were several that were broken but not many.  I thought, "How do these tree limbs withstand the weight of the ice?"

I read in an article,  “It all depends on how strongly the branches are attached to the tree and how the tree is pruned that enables thee limbs to withstand ice storms.  The weight of the ice likely breaks tree branches that are weakly attached.  If the branch is attached firmly it will withstand many pressures.  When a professional, who can spot problems and determine stressors prunes a tree properly, the tree will more likely have a sound structure.  So detaching and disconnecting of the branches is also important.” (For Trees Ice Can Be a Bigger Threat Than Snow, Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune) 

Are you thinking what I am?  If we want to be a sound structure, not breaking under pressure from the weight of the world what do we need to do?  We need to be connected to the tree, the Lord.  When we are connected to the Lord we will be strong and not weak.  We will be able to stand upright when the adversities of life bear down on our branches.  When we are attached to the Lord He also does us the favor of pruning us.  He rids us of those things that hold us back.  He detaches us from people who don’t add to our strength, those that are the peace stealers of the world.

With that being said when the weather is cold and the ice comes fallen upon your life stay connected to the Lord.  You will be able to survive the ice damage that surrounds you by faith.   

John 15:5  New International Version

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.