Last month we had some time in bible study to listen. I sat outside and, since it was a cool December morning, I chose a warm sunny spot. My brain was filled with too many words and I just wanted to sit in the quiet for a little while. Even when we were called back inside, I stayed.

I prayed about the coming year and the things I wanted to finally accomplish. The things I felt like the Lord had put on my heart, given me, called me to. I wanted to listen and obey. But I was feeling spent, defeated, empty. I asked the Lord to open doors, to push the boulders, to surround me with helpers. Because otherwise, I would assume it was not something he wanted me to do or a role he wanted me to fill.

We were given a couple of scriptures to meditate on before hand.

But you must continue to believe God’s true message. Do not turn away from it. Continue to trust God as you did when you first heard the good news…

Colossians 1:23 (EEB)

Get your strength from Christ himself so that you become stronger and stronger. Continue to believe the true message that we taught you. And thank God very much for everything.

Colossians 2:7 (EEB)

As I prayed, I picked up a dried leaf. I turned it over in my hands, felt its rough texture, studied its now dead veins. In the quiet. Listening. I heard.

Give life to it.

That’s odd. How does one give life to a dead leaf? I certainly couldn’t. But sometimes the dried leaves, the dead branches, the weeds, need to come up so that new life can grow. Burst forth. Not spending time with what’s dead, but tending to what has life. And to give more life to it. Life needs rest. A time to let roots go down deep. Then the energy renews and life springs forth.

I’m not sure what that looks like. But I know the Lord will show me.