My given name is Tamara. Tamara is a Hebrew name that means palm tree. When I only grew to be 5 feet tall, I was sure that my parents had somehow cursed me to be short by giving me a name that meant palm tree. :) I've always kind of thought that was a lame thing to be named after. Today I read something that made me think differently about the meaning of my name.
Every week, some of John's coworkers send out an email with a scripture and spiritual message for the week. Occasionally John will send them to me. Today's message instantly send the spirit throughout my body and brought tears to my eyes. The title of it was Flourish Like a Palm Tree.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree...”
(Psalm 92:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm? That tree may be bent
so far over that it’s almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops,
that palm tree bounces right back up. What’s interesting is that while that palm
tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually becoming
stronger.
See, the reason God said we’d flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there
would be difficult times. He knew things would come against us to try to steal our
joy and victory. But God said, “You’re going to be like a palm tree because when the
storms of life blow, you are going to come right back up stronger than before.”
As you reflect on the events of your life, remember, the storms you have encountered
have only made you stronger. You are wiser, you are more alive, and you are headed
for victory. Your brightest days are right out in front of you! Always remember that
with God on your side, you will flourish like a palm tree!
I know that I was suppose to read this message today. Sometimes it is hard not to feel like I am going to break under the pressure of the current storm. Lately I have found myself thinking/saying things like I can't keep doing this. I am not strong enough to do this. I am only one person. However, I know that I am not doing this alone. I know that this storm will pass and when it does, I will stand strong and tall again until the next storm comes.
God is good. God is real. His plan is perfect. With Him, all things are possible. With His help, I will live up to my name and flourish like a palm tree!
Every week, some of John's coworkers send out an email with a scripture and spiritual message for the week. Occasionally John will send them to me. Today's message instantly send the spirit throughout my body and brought tears to my eyes. The title of it was Flourish Like a Palm Tree.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree...”
(Psalm 92:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm? That tree may be bent
so far over that it’s almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops,
that palm tree bounces right back up. What’s interesting is that while that palm
tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually becoming
stronger.
See, the reason God said we’d flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there
would be difficult times. He knew things would come against us to try to steal our
joy and victory. But God said, “You’re going to be like a palm tree because when the
storms of life blow, you are going to come right back up stronger than before.”
As you reflect on the events of your life, remember, the storms you have encountered
have only made you stronger. You are wiser, you are more alive, and you are headed
for victory. Your brightest days are right out in front of you! Always remember that
with God on your side, you will flourish like a palm tree!
I know that I was suppose to read this message today. Sometimes it is hard not to feel like I am going to break under the pressure of the current storm. Lately I have found myself thinking/saying things like I can't keep doing this. I am not strong enough to do this. I am only one person. However, I know that I am not doing this alone. I know that this storm will pass and when it does, I will stand strong and tall again until the next storm comes.
God is good. God is real. His plan is perfect. With Him, all things are possible. With His help, I will live up to my name and flourish like a palm tree!
