Petrified

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Petrified

 

In our time, we sometimes use that word when we are frightened to the point we can hardly move. However, in the Petrified Forest National Park, the word petrified signifies a forest of tall trees which has turned from wood into stone. When the trees died, they fell and were submerged in marsh water. Nearby volcanoes erupted over and over, spouting ash into the water. The ash contained silica which soaked into the wood. Over a long period of time, the wood rotted and the silica replaced it, forming a stone-like substance as the marsh dried up. The original shapes, knots, and rings of the trees were preserved and acquired beautiful colors from the various minerals in the water. This process replaced wood with stone. The dictionary meaning of the word petrified means turned to stone. What were previously trees that bent in the wind, now are inflexible logs.

 

As beautiful as petrified wood is, it made me think. Am I in danger of turning to stone and becoming inflexible? I’m pretty sure an inflexible person probably is a lot less attractive than petrified stone. Am I unwilling to consider new ideas? Do I soak myself in old mistakes?

 

We can find ourselves in a petrified situation where we aren’t able to move and proceed forward because of some long time ago trauma in our lives. But we rejoice that God is able to create a beautiful appearance in our lives even when we are soaked in problems. God can keep us flexible if we keep our attitude and judgements before Him. Our protection from becoming petrified in our thinking is to keep our thought processes submitted to him in prayer. God help us to soak ourselves in Your Word.  Color our lives with gratitude toward You so that we reflect You in our thinking.