It was my first time up at Lake Arrowhead a few weeks ago, and I was really captivated by its beauty.⠀
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I am usually at the coast enjoying the ocean breeze, hearing the crashing waves, but there is something about being amidst the trees.⠀
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The life giving properties of these majestic pines that have been here for ages, and being surrounded by them, was just so pleasing.⠀
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But what was incredible, were those quiet mornings where I was sitting on the balcony. It was crisp and cool, and the sun was starting to make its way out, but out of nowhere a gust of wind would come through.⠀
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I would start to see it out in the distance; the leaves would rustle and the trees would sway, and the wind would make its way toward me, bringing with it- the dancing trees. It happened quite frequently, complete stillness, and then once again, the wind, the force of nature, showing me the most beautiful sight. ⠀
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It was as if I stumbled upon this intimate and incredible symphony between the elements, but my astonishment and amazement turned me from an onlooker, to a participant in this beautiful act.⠀
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It got me thinking on the way a tree, in its natural state, flows so easily with the wind. But when a tree is chopped down, processed and the lumber is used to build a structure, it is impenetrable or unswayed by the wind.⠀
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Now I can liken our hearts to the trees, and the wind, to God’s voice and divine influence. When our hearts are free from resentment, anger, pride; we are able to be influenced by the Lord. Our hearts are in sync with the Divine.⠀
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But when we allow the breaking down of our hearts, to become built back up with anger, by holding on to resentment or choosing not to forgive, our hearts become impenetrable by God’s grace. Like the wind against a concrete building, there is no give, there is no pull.⠀
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Have you taken stock on your relationship with God? Do you feel His influence on your heart? Or perhaps we need to take stock on our relationship with ourselves.⠀
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Because even if we don’t notice, there is always some wind in the day. Perhaps faint, perhaps strong, but God’s influence is always around us. All it takes is our heart to revert back to its natural state, a source of complete love, to feel it.⠀
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-Vianca Joy⠀
Vianca Joy 