While hiking around the Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman State Park, I passed the remnant of a tree in the final stages of being reclaimed by nature. In the middle of this dead stump was a hint of green new life. Against all odds, a little holly tree had sprouted.
I called to mind Isaiah’s prophecy, “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom” (Is 11:1). It’s a favorite Advent passage. Christians see its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. The early Christians looked back upon this prophecy and recognized Jesus as the “shoot,” the king who would restore peace and prosperity to those in captivity.
I also called to mind the new shoots sprouting from the stumps of my life.
Remnants of days gone by
As I grow older, I do a little more looking back, as the early Christians did. I see a lot of “stumps,” remnants of days gone by. These include my past career as a “captain of industry” (my son’s term for being a general manager for a large steel company), which brought with it a certain status in the community.
When my children were young, my identity was also defined by being their dad – not so much now that they’re grown and on their own. These were once flourishing trees but, like the old stump in the picture, they are now slowly fading into memory and succumbing to the march of time.
But “on that day,” I looked at the stump anew. Rather than ruing the days gone by, I saw hope. In so many words, Isaiah was telling people, “Stop looking at the stump! It’s dead. Focus on the shoot!” Focus on what God is doing here and now. Focus on how God is fulfilling the promises for the future.
The old provides life for the new
My old career is gone, but other areas of my life are flourishing: my roles as spiritual director, retreat master, university professor and grandfather. These new shoots were completely unforeseen 10 years ago. Unbelievable.
I’m also finding that though the stumps are dead, they still contain a wealth of experience. Like the holly, I draw upon nutrients from these old stumps. They provide life for the new shoots that God wants to prosper.
In the darker days of winter, it is easy to look at the stumps of our life and sigh. But this is a season of hope. What’s more hopeful than new life sprouting from something that has died?
Spend a few moments looking for the shoots God wants to sprout from the stumps of your life. “See, I am doing something new. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it?” (Is 43:19).
Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan is executive director of Font of Mercy in Catawba. Reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..