The Cinnamon Trees

Perusing the news this morning, I ran across an article about the aftermath of the tsunami in Sri Lanka. It seems Sri Lanka is world's largest exporter of cinnamon, 80% of the world market & a vital source of income to the tune of 58 million dollars last year. 18 months after the tsunami uprooted centuries old cinnamon plantations, experts feared all was lost due to the salt infusion into the soil. Contrary to those fears, the soil is now richer. "You stick anything in the soil and it grows like magic" according to the report on Yahoo News. Not just the cinnamon, but the coconut trees are producing more coconuts. Flood ravaged Sri Lanka produced more cinnamon this past year than prior years, marginally but still an increase despite the devastation. In fact, people are building bigger and better storehouses in expectation of largest crops & harvests!

So, I was thinking about this...Isn't that just like life? You go through some of most arduest trials - backbreaking, devastating, grueling, punishing, strenuous trials that you think have surely done you in. Be it sickness, financial duress, emotional breakdown, relationship woes, or other tremendous loss...You think you're down for the count. I've been there & most everyone I know has been there or come close. But God...

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are pressed on every side by troubles,

but we are not crushed and broken.

We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.

We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.

We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

Isaiah 43:1-7

the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia,* and Seba as a ransom for your freedom. 4 Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
5 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west 6 and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. 7 All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them."

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

So, like those cinnamon tress - we endure the ravaging floods and come back stronger, flourish and thriving; producing more fruit that ever. I tell you, I'm excited about this! I'm building bigger storehouses in anticipation of a greater harvest. My soil is infused with strength & fortitude that comes from enduring the flood.

Randy, this is for you~ Larger storehouses for a greater harvest; the latter rain is greater than the former. Let's go, friend! :o)