At ‘111’ North Broadway in downtown Edmond, you will find a treasure called The Twisted Tree Bakery. Family-owned, not only do they have delicious baked items, their name/brand reflects a twisted maple tree found in their family history, symbolizing their family’s approach to life: “When rough winds come our way, we stay strong, allowing ourselves to grow through the storm by making space for something new and beautiful to enter in.”

Today was my first time to “see” a twisted tree. As it held my heart, I marveled at God’s creativeness of braiding a tree with such skill. What outside forces were used to create such a unique and interesting anomaly? How much stronger that tree must be now to withstand forceful winds?!?

Captured by this vision, I began to wonder: 

Does God twist humans also?
Not in the “normal” definition of twisted but like this tree.
Woven and wrapped in his branches of love so tightly to strengthen and protect one—
not unlike the words in Ecclesiastes 4:12, a triple- ‘twisted’ rope is not easily broken.

In my Hospice work, I have encountered so many “twistful” people. People who have walked through catastrophic moments yet somehow continue to take another step, moving forward in spite of the reality of their circumstances. They too are twisted trees, braided in hopes that one day, there will be a space for something new and dare to whisper, “that something beautiful will enter in one day.”

What if we could approach the storms as that twisted maple tree, knowing we are woven tightly with His Grace, firmly planted in the solid foundation of faith that “we are never alone?” 

What if we could stand strong as we grow into His image through the suffering and struggles, and become more compassionate loving people towards others?

What if our hope could be “twistful” like the tree as we seek God’s way of living, growing into the image bearers He created us to be? 

What if He created trees as visual living examples of how to live and move and have our being in Him?

What if?