Davalynn Spencer's Blog

Help — I’m being eaten alive!

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

The prophet Jeremiah said the person who trusted God would flourish like a tree whose leaves never withered. But he didn’t mention anything about being eaten alive.

In April I planted an aspen cluster in the back yard, watered it faithfully, and strategically placed rock and wire to discourage cats and deer.

Fresh tree in April

However, nothing stops grasshoppers.

The critters were worse this year than I’ve ever seen, and I finally returned to the nursery where I purchased the tree to pick up a bottle of super-duper bug spray. The hoppers were so bad in our area, the shop had sold out and the bug spray was on back-order for months out.

Denuded aspen tree in July

“Just keep watering your tree,” the clerk told me. “It will come back next year. It’s only being defoliated.”

Her comment gave me hope.

I kept watering, and by August, leaves were reappearing on my tree as if it were spring!

Aspen tree in August

Sometimes I feel defoliated—as if every fresh and living part of me is being devoured by the enemy. I can almost hear him chewing. The woman’s encouragement to “keep watering” was exactly what I needed for the tree and exactly what helps me survive emotionally and spiritually.

Jesus is the water of life, and as I fill up with Him each morning, He faithfully keeps me alive in all seasons of destruction.

Thank God for His faithfulness.

The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that they may have life…whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. (John 10:10, John 4:14)

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