My Indian Flute From a Storm Damaged Tree, to something “Alive”
For whatever reason, a powerful storm named Hurricane Katrina came through and heavily damaged my farm and timberland. One particular tree was uprooted and destroyed. This tree was such a big part of my life. Now what?
This tree was once a growing beautiful cedar tree. It could be seen by all. Now it’s nothing but shattered pieces of wood. Too damaged for anything but firewood. But, but, there is a part of it that seems to be “calling out to me”. I saw off a piece of the trunk that contains the heart wood. Now a new journey begins.
This piece of wood is now shaped, and carved, and designed, and …….. created to be something even more special to me. It’s not a piece of wood anymore. It is my Native American flute. I made it. It now makes beautiful music with a most haunting sound. From a dead and dying situation, now comes an instrument that brings a soothing sound when played. This flute comes alive and causes those to hear it to “come alive” as well.
2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Think about it! Even as a Christian, even as we follow our Lord and Saviour, for whatever reason, powerful storms come into our lives. Something that is such a big part of our lives is suddenly uprooted and destroyed. A marriage gets torn apart, your job is suddenly being laid off, the health you’ve enjoyed for years now uprooted and destroyed. Now what?
When the going gets tough the ………. I know you just finished the saying. The tough get going. Yep, but that’s how us humans think every situation should be handled. Man up! Take charge! Take care of it and move on! Easier said than done, right.
Could it be that even when the storms bring their damage that God still has a plan and design for you His child? It is hard to see (and especially understand) that He will still be there. Just like the flute, He continues to shape, carve, and create you to be His creation. Why would God continue to do this? Love. My flute is special to me because I made it. You are special to God because He made you. He loves you plain and simple.
When the going gets tough…….. the tough “come alive” as God shapes, carves, designs, and continues to create you to be something even more special to Him. He takes that part that contains your Heart!
Thank you God for being there with me and my friends.
(To hear the flute being played, click on the video below)
Beautiful Dan…my favorite instrument, too. I even prayed for a special tree in my driveway during the same storm. My mom and I planted it when we moved in our house. It became a symbol of my growing family..a tree everyone mentions when they come in my driveway. It made it through that storm…thank, God. Just a reminder that God listens to the small stuff, too. Compared to the major losses during that storm, it made me feel a little ashamed that I would pray for a tree to stand…God still heard me though. Come see it sometime. It looks way older and mightier than 42 years old.
Wow!! I had no idea you made the flute that you play. It is a beautiful work of art just like you are. Just like we all are. I love my Native drum for the come alive sound it makes or my tibetan singing bowl. I would love to own a flute one day though I don’t think I will ever make one. Good job on the message and the flute.