This is the beautiful heart bench I mentioned in the first devotional of my new book, Today Lord, Encountering Jesus in Ordinary Moments. It has been the subject of many discussions of the love and provision of God.
A wonderful inspiration for a devotional indeed! What began as a beloved oak tree in my front yard became a living parable of faith: a tree I grieved losing, only to discover a heart etched deeply into its trunk after a dead branch was removed. For twenty years, the once hidden heart became a reminder that God’s most precious gifts are often revealed only when we are willing to let go. Then, when the tree itself eventually died, God repurposed it still further, transforming it into this bench, a symbol that His faithfulness follows us through every season, every loss, and every new beginning.
If these reflections on faith, surrender, and God’s provision have stirred something in your heart, find more:
- Sign up for the Personal Parables email list here: Subscribe to updates from Dyann Shepard
- Read the original blog post about the heart bench here: The Lover of My Soul – My Forever Valentine
- Looking for a group study or self-study about the power of our words and God’s concern for what we say? Get the book Wisdom: Capturing the Power of Our Words
I’m so glad you had this link in the book! I love your book “Today Lord”! I read the last devotional first, “Listen to the Music” and then “Hidden Gifts”. Your writing is soothing to my soul. I feel loved by Jesus! Thank you Dyann, for following Jesus and sharing your love for Hum and us. You are a blessing ❤️