Dogwood

My husband was working at our rental and sent me a picture of this dogwood, which has to be at least 13 years old. Our rental was the first house we lived in and owned and we had planted this little tree out in our backyard soon after moving in. 

The tree has never thrived back there and it never got that big. During a wind storm a couple months ago a giant redwood from the neighbor's yard crashed down into the yard of our rental, demolishing a fence and everything else in its path. As my husband worked to clear debris there was the dogwood, shattered, half of it completely gone. 

He planned on ripping it out and giving up on the poor thing but hadn't gotten around to it amidst the other projects. He was pretty sure it was dead although it was still dormant and wouldn't have sprouted leaves yet. 

Last week, however, this picture showed up on my phone. And it spoke to me. There was brokenness, but there was also beauty in this picture. It spoke of resilience, of determination, of hope. It came at a needed time. 

Do not give up because something in your life is broken or looks hopeless. Think of specific times in your life when you have fallen hard and gotten back up stronger. Beauty can come from the brokenness. I truly believe this picture is not just for me. Whether it applies now or in another season for you, tuck this image away and take heart. 

Xo, 

Kara

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