CNN iReport

In this time of hardship and struggle, I have often felt like giving up. I sometimes thought losing our home would save so much stress. Trying to find a few dollars for groceries, or toilet paper can really weigh you down!

Tears fell every day, as I tried to find was to make life a little hopeful.

Then, it seems, God reached out to me...in quiet ways.

Such as happened several times this summer. Here is but one life altering moment. I wrote this and mailed it to several friends who are also struggling. I hope it gives even one person HOPE.

There is an old , dead tree on our road.
I am sure it was once lush and lovely,
welcoming each Spring with a soft green growth of new leaves.
But for several years now it has only been an old dried out trunk, leafless, with a few brittle branches still clinging to it.
I walked by it several weeks ago and noticed it covered, ground to top, with green vines!
I thought, how lovely to see new life over the dead wood!
Then, this week those vines are profusely covered with Morning Glories!
Bright purples, blues and pinks!
Just an amazing sight!!!
From dry, dead old tree comes such a wonderful Blessing!
It gave me hope.
If God cared so much to give new life to this old tree,
how much more must He care for me!
Created in His image,
are we not as valued as a tree?
Will He  not also care for us?
Should we become dead inside, brittle and lifeless,
will He not clothe us in His Glory and Grace?
If the lilies of field need not worry, or the old dead tree,
why should I.