Friends of ours recently moved to Hawaii and shared something that I found fascinating. It was a video of a papaya tree that they have in their backyard at their new home. This papaya tree is unlike any I have ever seen. It looks as though someone tried chopping it down at some point, but instead of dying or drying out, it grew sideways instead! It looks like an elephant trunk hanging off the side of the main tree trunk. What is fascinating, though, is that the extension of this tree has continued producing beautiful papayas and its leaves are flourishing. It may be broken, but it continues giving fruit just like it was created to do.

Seeing this video was such a wonderful life lesson for me personally. We all have past experiences that perhaps were not very pleasant. Circumstances may have tried cutting us down at some point, and we may be struggling to regain composure and continue moving forward. The scars from our past may still feel so fresh, but our past experiences and scars don't define our future! God continues working out His plan in our lives and is using our past to mold us into powerful instruments that will have a mighty impact in our world today and will reach others for Christ.

Just like this papaya tree that continues giving fruit regardless of the giant scar in its trunk, we too, can reach our full potential and allow God to fulfill His purpose and plan in our lives... even with our scars. God loves us and has promised never to leave or forsake us. He is not done with us and will continue His work in us. In Him we can be broken and beautiful.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that, despite my past and the scars I carry, you are creating something beautiful. In you we have forgiveness, healing, hope, and a future. I surrender my life to you, hurts and all, and ask that you mold me and use me to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world today. May the experiences you have allowed in my life be used to have an impact in the lives of others for your glory. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen."

1.       Psalms 138:8 (TLB).