Monday, April 7, 2025

See, I am Doing a New Thing!

 


See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~Isaiah 34:19


This spring, we living in northwest Georgia have set record pollen counts, with a week ago Saturday topping the charts with a whopping 14,801 grains per cubic meter of air.  Oh, I feel so sorry for people who suffer with seasonal allergies, especially when pollen is reaching unprecedented levels.

I discover these unfamiliar, to me, slender flower-like strands on our back deck just the other day.  What can they possibly be?  Danny uses the Google Lens on his phone and voila!  It turns out these are the nascent flowers from our sugar maple growing right beside our house.  But why have we never seen these before?  More research reveals that sugar maples don't reach seed bearing age until they are between thirty and forty years old.  And since Danny estimates that he planted our maple a little over 30 years ago, it makes all the sense in the world.

Using his zoom lens on his camera Danny captures some amazing photos:




Our mature sugar maple is doing a new thing, and now it springs forth in a way that both delights and fascinates us.  Isn't that just how God works at times?  When we least expect anything about our old, familiar shade tree to do anything else but leaf out for the summer and to grow taller each season, God shows us that there is so much more that He does behind the scenes that we, in our limited knowledge, cannot even begin to fathom.

When the ways before us are seemingly choked with obstacles and debris, and our souls feel parched and sere, the Lord will be there always to make straight our paths and refresh us with His Living Water, the well that will never run dry.

Amen!

64 comments:

  1. Oh, I love this story and the pictures and the analogy to how God is always doing something new in our lives, if we just pay attention. It also shows that sometimes new growth happens in our "golden years" totally unexpectedly! Oh, since this is a sugar maple tree, could you tap it for sap? Wouldn't it be great to make your own maple syrup? I know, I takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, so probably one tree won't yield that much, and it takes a LOT of boiling to get it down to syrup...but hey! It's a thought! Your tree has hidden secrets and benefits you didn't know about! I love it. God is always doing something beautiful in our lives that we don't always recognize. Have a lovely day! Enjoy the shade of your beautiful maple tree!

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    1. It's so true, Pamela, that God is always working behind the scenes in our lives, growing us in ways we could never have imagined, just like we had no idea about what happens when a sugar maple reaches maturity. Yes, we've watched our tree "weep" when the sap is running, and the squirrels love to come taste that sweetness, but we would need a whole passel of trees to make our own syrup. Not worth it in the long run.
      Grace and blessings!

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  2. Pollen counts have been high here as well. My sinuses are bearing witness. But to watch the garden explode in growth is a wonder and a blessing.

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    1. Nothing beats the flourishing green of spring, Glynn. So sorry that your sinuses don't want to cooperate, though. I know that must be miserable for you. Hang in there!
      Grace and blessings!

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  3. When I first saw the title the old song by DC Talk came to mind. I want my faith to stay fresh and to always be in the "mood" for God to do a new thing in me. Pollen counts are high here as well. As my daughter and wife and tons of others.

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    1. Yes, Bill, it certainly looks like high pollen counts have been recorded in most of the country this spring. Sorry that Jo and Tami suffer with those allergies! But let's all be on the look out for how God is working in our lives, doing new things each and every day.
      Grace and blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much, Christine! I'll be sure to let Danny know.
      Grace and blessings!

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  5. The rain has tapped down the pollen count here but it’s coming. That is interesting about the tree. I like what Pamela said about new growth in our golden years. That’s why we should never give up on anything. God can still use us as he is still using that old maple tree. Love the lessons God gives us through His creation. Thank you for the beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you, Debby, for your kind words here. Yes, I love what Pamela said, too; God can use us at any time in our lives, young or old, if we will seek His will for our lives each and every day.
      Grace and blessings!

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  6. Such a great analogy Martha...We grow trees for a living, and I just asked Sam if he new that it took this long for the Sugar maple to make seeds. He did not know this and was very surprised. Of course, for good reason he wouldn't know because we do not grow them. Very interesting and what a great surprise. We often fail to understand that God's plans for our lives are rooted deep and and often seem slow to us, but in time His perfect plan is revealed. Thanks for this post.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the analogy, Shug! Since sugar maples aren't native to Texas, I can understand why Sam wouldn't be aware of this. As the daughter of a botanist, I feel somewhat embarrassed that I didn't know this at all. I guess I should have listened to my dad's words better, just as we should always listen to what our heavenly Father is telling us. God's plans are always better than anything we could ever imagine.
      Grace and blessings!

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  7. Wonderful analogy, Martha!
    Blessings
    Lulu

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the analogy, Lulu.
      Grace and blessings!

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  8. How I love your analogy, Martha!
    When you least expect it, our Savior provides. Thank you for enriching my day!

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    1. I'm so gratified that you enjoyed this analogy here today, Myra. And yes, when we least expect it, our Lord can enrich our lives with surprises we never could have imagined.
      Grace and blessings!

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  9. There are so many things that we don't know and if we are paying attention, God will show us the beauty. Lovely photos by Danny.

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    1. Yes, Bill, so very many things we cannot know or understand fully, but God will reveal what He wants us see in His time. I'll be sure to tell Danny that you liked his photos, too!
      Grace and blessings!

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  10. What a beautiful and encouraging reminder that our Lord can, and does, do a new thing when it seems an impossibility!

    The illustration of these flowers from your tree is an excellent example.

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    1. Our God is, indeed, an awesome God, Barbara. And like you, I so love it when He does the impossible things to show us new possibilities in this world.
      Grace and blessings!

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  11. Praise God that even we senior citizens can experience and revel in a new work from our Heavenly Father! It's one of his mercies that's new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

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    1. New every morning are his mercies, Nancy, I couldn't agree more! God shows us, though we are up in years, that we never know it all, and that His wonders are still here to be discovered just as we did with our sugar maple. All praise to Him!
      Grace and blessings!

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  12. Amen, Martha!! So well written. How blessed we are!! xo

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    1. We are blessed by our loving Father, indeed, Terri, always and everywhere! Thanks so much for your kind words here today.
      Grace and blessings!

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  13. A great nature lesson with a spiritual application. Thank you, Martha.

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    1. So many moments in my life where I find God's lessons and revelations are in His creation, Diana, and I can't thank Him enough for His revelations coming at just the perfect time.
      Grace and blessings!

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  14. I love your story and analogy. God can sure help us out of a mess IF we let him. His love for us is everywhere if we just look for it. I like Danny's photo's especially the last one - the colors are so pretty.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words here, Sandie! Yes, God is always at work behind the scenes if we open our eyes to what He is doing. I'll make sure Danny knows you liked his photos, too.
      Grace and blessings!

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  15. You have a way of making us think. Thank you, Martha. It is so comforting to know that God is always close to us - a prayer away.

    God bless you and your family.

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    1. Just a prayer away . . . You are spot on with that, Victor!
      Grace and blessings!

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  16. I like your story Martha, and your pics are lovely. I have always liked the Maple tree, they have a nice shaped leaf. God bless.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked this story, Brenda, and I'll tell Danny that you loved his photos, too.
      Grace and blessings!

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  17. Beautiful analogy, Martha. And so interesting about the Sugar Maple reaching 30 years old and doing a new thing. Yes, I'm thankful the Lord does a new thing in my life and always working behind the scene. God bless!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful comment here, Karen! God is most definitely always doing a new thing; may our hearts and minds be ever ready to embrace His revelations.
      Grace and blessings!

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  18. Good take on the unexpected things in our life and the way the Lord works.

    Hugs and Blessings

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    1. I'm so glad my words here gave you some inspiration, Jim. I appreciate your input!'
      Grace and blessings!

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  19. Lots to think about here. Pollen is my nemesis these days, but I know we really need the plants to bloom. What a sad world without spring flowers.

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    1. It would be a sad world, indeed, without flowers to brighten it, Carol. So sorry that you have to suffer with those seasonal allergies, though.
      Grace and blessings!

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  20. Oh girl, that pollen has about done me in. It has been super crazy. I finally had to start taking an allergy pill and use Flonase daily. Right now it seems the grass pollen is high. I am surrounded by Pine trees and when the tree pollen is high I struggle to sit outside in the afternoons. It seems to be a little better though. I love your analogy Martha. God is always doing a new thing. It may just take a while to see or to understand. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Oh, Cindy, I'm so very sorry that you struggle with severe allergies at this time of year. It sounds miserable!!! Hope you can recover enough to actually enjoy the springtime. And yes, God is always, always working His miracles all around us even when we can't see it at the time. One day, we will all see clearly.
      Grace and blessings!

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  21. Thankfully pollen doesn't affect me like it did my mum and my sister Jeannie still suffers terrible from its affects.

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    1. I'm so sorry that your mom had and your sister has issues with the pollen, Jo-Anne. Not a fun place to be, for sure.
      Grace and blessings!

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  22. Boa tarde de quinta-feira. Com muita paz e saúde. Eu creio e recebo. Pela misericórdia de Deus estou vendo e vivendo isso em minha vida.

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    1. Seeing every aspect of our lives through the lens of God's mercy is the best way any of us can live, Luiz.
      Grace and blessings!

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    2. Pela misericórdia Dele, vivo e experimento. Não tem nada igual e tão maravilhoso.

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  23. Amen, and what a great ending to your post, I love the words you used. If we can look at life that way, we are sure to find the new thing God is doing.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words here, Marja! It makes me happy to know that my post here spoke to you so deeply.
      Grace and blessings!

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  24. What great photos and amazing story. A good reminder that we all can continue to grow and give even later in life!! You are an inspiration today!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your uplifting words here, Jean! Yes, we are never too old, I believe, to do the work God has given us to do while we are here on earth, and sometimes He saves the most miraculous for last.
      Grace and blessings!

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  25. Last in line again, Martha. We've had some medical issues going on since coming back from Israel, and other things like unexpected tax issues we thought we had put to bed, et. All in all, Diane and have been off schedule, behind, and feeling at times like we were trying to run a 50 yard dash in waist deep water.
    Anyhow, though I'm often late to the table, I love the spiritual points you make with the world in your back yard and Danny's camera. The Scripture from Isaiah you illustrated is one of my favorites and being a bonafide antique human, the idea that God can still use old things to bring new things to life. That was fresh reminder of some stimulating and inspirational truth. Thank you again for always brightening our day, even if we're playing catch up. May God grant you and Danny and the family an Easter celebration filled with expressions of God's love everywhere you turn.

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    1. Late or not, Ron, you are always welcome to the party here. I'm sorry to hear that you've both been hit by a proverbial tempest after having returned from your amazing trip to Israel. That can be so frustrating and disconcerting, to say the least. But I'm gratified that this post spoke to you today, as I, too, am in that ancient human category. We can still do all things, and new things, through Christ who gives us strength to persevere.
      Grace and blessings!

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  26. yes, there are so many trees and plants that we don't know like sugar maple
    by فني سيراميك باكستاني

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    1. There are so many things we don't understand, but we can certainly take comfort in know our loving Father is in control always.
      Grace and blessings!

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  27. Such a great reminder that God works behind the scenes, even when we least expect it! 🌿 Love how your maple’s new growth is a reflection of how He brings new things into our lives, even in the most unexpected ways. Amen! 🙏💚

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    1. It does seem like God is constantly doing a new thing whether or not we see it, Veronica. He makes all things new!
      Grace and blessings!

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  28. What a great reminder, Martha. Wishing you a beautiful weekend, my friend.

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post, Linda. I hope your weekend is splendid, too!
      Grace and blessings!

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  29. What a beautiful reflection on new beginnings and the surprises nature has to offer! It’s incredible how something as simple as a tree can reveal a deeper spiritual truth. The connection you draw between the sugar maple blooming and God's work in our lives is really powerful—it reminds us that even when we feel like we’re stuck in the familiar, there’s always something new happening just beyond our view. It’s a wonderful reminder of hope and renewal.

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    1. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment here, Melody! Yes, God is full of amazing surprises, gifts He reveals to us when the time is right and our eyes and ears are open to hearing Him. His fingerprints are on every aspect of His created world.
      Grace and blessings!

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  30. Bom dia, Martha
    Que planta interessante, não conhecia, ótimas fotos. O Senhor cuida de nós nos mínimos detalhes, um forte abraço.

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    1. Sugar maples, I believe, are native only in North America, Lucinalva, and yes, it's a very interesting tree, indeed. They are a source for maple sugar syrups that are used on pancakes. The Lord takes care of us in so many wonderful ways!
      Grace and blessings!

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  31. A truly inspirational post and lovely photos.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment here today, Linda.
      Grace and blessings!

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