Cypress And Myrtle

Tag: Bible

  • Fear: The Silent Grip on Every Soul

    Fear comes in many forms.
    It can strike suddenly paralyzing us in an instant. Or it can linger like a low, relentless hum in the background of our lives. Sometimes it hides behind anger, pride, or control.

    No one on earth is immune to it.
    Neither rich nor poor, powerful or vulnerable, educated or uneducated—fear touches us all.

    I’ve watched both my daughters struggle with the fear of losing me. Tears in their eyes, voices trembling as they say, “Mummy, please don’t die.”
    Their little hearts gripped by a fear that’s far too big for them to carry. And honestly, it’s a fear that grips me too.

    Because what do you say when their deepest fear is one you can’t promise away?

    As a mother, I long to shield them from pain but I’ve learned since that this is where faith steps in.
    Faith in a Heavenly Father who promises to never leave them.

    A God who sees them, loves them, and holds their future when I no longer can.

    Fear was born in a garden.

    When Adam and Eve ate from the tree God told them not to, their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked.

    Shame entered. They hid.

    And for the first time in human history, fear took root in the human heart.

    Fear of exposure. Fear of punishment.

    What began as perfect communion was now marked by hiding and fear. And humanity has been wrestling with it ever since.

    But God…

    But God, in His omniscience, knew. He knew how fear would entangle our hearts. He knew how easily we’d be swayed by “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios.
    And in His mercy, He didn’t leave us without help.

    The Bible is full of encouragement for the fearful heart. One of the most repeated commands in Scripture is, “Do not be afraid.” Not because fear will never come, but because we’re never meant to face it alone.

    “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

    (Isaiah 41:10)

    “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

    (Psalm 56:3)

    “Perfect love casts out fear.”

    (1 John 4:18)

    God doesn’t shame us for being afraid. He meets us in it. He offers His presence, His promises, and His peace.

    Even Jesus…

    Even Jesus—fully God, yet fully man knew what it was to face fear.

    In the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before His arrest and crucifixion, He fell to the ground and prayed:

    “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:38)

    He pleaded with the Father:
    “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

    Jesus felt the weight of what was coming; pain, abandonment, the wrath of sin. He sweat drops of blood, a sign of extreme anguish.
    He didn’t deny His fear.
    He brought it to the Father.

    And in doing so, He showed us the most powerful way to confront our fears: through surrendered trust.

    Here are two applicable truths to help us deal with our fear.

    1. God’s Presence Is Greater Than Our Fear

    Fear magnifies in isolation when we feel like we’re facing the unknown alone. But Scripture reminds us over and over that God is with us, right in the middle of the fear.

    “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
    Isaiah 41:10

    God never promises a life free from fear but He does promise His presence. And His presence changes everything. We may still feel afraid, but we’re not abandoned. We’re not alone.

    2. We Face Fear by Trusting in God’s Character

    Fear feeds on uncertainty, but faith rests on the unchanging character of God.

    “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
    Psalm 56:3

    We may not know what the future holds, but we do know who God is; Faithful. Good. Sovereign.
    The more we anchor our hearts in His truth through Scripture, prayer, and recounting His faithfulness, the less power fear has over us.

    Finally, one night, after a terrible episode of fear losing her grandma, I sat beside my eldest as she cried. I taught her to surrender her fear to God.

    It was too heavy for her young heart to carry, so we prayed and gave it to the One who can. She found peace—not because the fear vanished, but because she trusted God with it.

  • Motherhood Tug Of War

    Motherhood- a constant inner struggle between the desire to protect and empower.

    As a mom, I am often torn between wanting to do things for my kids, just a little longer and feeling the growing weight of knowing they are old enough to handle things on their own.

    I recently came across an article from Christianity Today that resonated deeply with me. Two key points stood out that shed light on how this struggle fits within the broader picture of our calling as mothers.

    God Gives Us the Power to Make Choices

    The article highlighted a powerful truth: God gives us power to make choices that impact our lives (Romans 2:1,6). As parents, we are tasked with making countless decisions every day on behalf of our children, from what they eat to the values they learn. We guide them, but we also prepare them to make choices for themselves.

    As mothers, it’s easy to slip into the mindset of doing everything for our children, wanting to protect them from any possible failure. But there’s a tension in this. God gives us free will because He trusts us to use it wisely. In the same way, it’s important for us to allow our children to have a say in their lives. We must trust them with their own choices even when they make mistakes because this is how they learn and grow.

    Bearing God’s Image and Our Responsibility to Community

    Another profound insight from the article was the dignity of bearing God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28). As parents, we have the privilege and responsibility to help shape children who reflect God’s character in our communities and the world.

    We are raising future adults, neighbors, leaders, and members of a community. This means our decisions have a ripple effect far beyond the walls of our home.

    So, every choice we make—whether it’s letting them spill the milk or empowering them to handle challenges—shapes the kind of adult they will become.

    What Does This Mean for Moms?

    If like me, you’re feeling like you’re constantly caught between wanting to do everything for your kids and knowing you need to let them go, here are a few thoughts that can help guide your journey:

    Letting Go is Holy Work
    Our desire to hold on just a little longer isn’t wrong. It’s a reflection of love. But it’s important to remember that the goal is to raise children who can stand on their own. God, in His grace, doesn’t suffocate our choices but empowers us to grow. In the same way, we’re called to help our children grow into independent, capable adults.

    Parent with Purpose
    Every decision we make should empower our children. The act of parenting forward – giving our kids space to make their own decisions and live with the consequences isn’t just an act of love; it’s an act of faith. Trust that our children are capable of growth, and believe in their ability to rise to the occasion.

    Grieve the Letting Go, But Celebrate the Growth
    It’s okay to feel sadness as our children become more independent. Letting go is hard. But we are not withdrawing love; we are creating room for them to reflect God’s image in their own unique way. This is a sacred part of motherhood: letting them flourish on their own, knowing you’ve done your part in guiding them.

    Mirror God’s Love
    The ultimate example of love is God’s relationship with us. He gives us freedom to make our choices, but He never leaves us. As a mother, we have the unique calling to mirror that balance of presence and freedom. We’re always there to support them, but we also trust them to walk with God independently.

    Final thoughts, motherhood is a divine partnership, where we are given the incredible responsibility of helping to shape future adults who bear the image of God. As we navigate the complex emotions of letting go, remember that it’s not a loss but a gain—for us, for our children, and for the world.

  • An Open Letter: What Is It Like To Die?

    To My Eldest Daughter,

    You were seven when you asked me, “Mummy, what is it like to die?”

    I paused. Searching for words your young heart could understand.
    Then I said, “It’s like walking across a bridge into the arms of Jesus. The moment you hear His voice, you’ll realize He’s been with you your whole life. Like an old friend, familiar, warm, and close to your heart.”

    You thought for a moment, then quietly nodded. Accepting the answer with a child’s calm trust.

    As you grow, and your faith deepens, it is my deepest desire and constant prayer that you will come to know Him not only as an old friend but as your Lord and Savior.

    Jesus is not only gentle and kind. He is God in the flesh.
    He is the Word who was with God in the beginning. And He is God (John 1:1). Through Him, all things were made (John 1:3).

    He is Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23).

    He walked among us, full of grace and truth. And though He had every right to remain in heaven, He humbled Himself to become like us, so He could save us (Philippians 2:6–8).

    He healed the sick, calmed storms with a word and raised the dead.

    And then He chose the cross. Not because He was weak but because He is love.

    No one took His life from Him. He laid it down willingly. (John 10:18)
    And on the third day, He rose again, declaring forever that death does not win.

    This is the Jesus I want you to know.

    He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. (Matthew 16:16)
    He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

    He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13). The Beginning and the End. And He is coming again.

    In Him is life, And that life is the light of all mankind (John 1:4).

    So, dearest daughter, choose Life. Remain in Him always.

    With all my love,
    Mummy

  • Cypress and Myrtle: A Promise For Every Season

    Some of you may be wondering why I chose to name this blog Cypress and Myrtle. A quick search in the Bible leads to Isaiah 55:12–13:

    “You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
    the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
    and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
    Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
    This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

    These verses were shared with me at my baptism, and they’ve been etched in my heart ever since. They’ve whispered hope during dark seasons and magnified joy in times of celebration.

    From Exile to Hope

    Isaiah 55 was written during a painful time in Israel’s history – their exile in Babylon. They were a displaced people, longing for freedom, identity, and peace. It was in this context that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, painting a vision of restoration; hope for a future filled with renewal and joy.

    Why Cypress and Myrtle?

    In verse 13, the thornbush is replaced by the cypress (sometimes translated juniper), and the brier by the myrtle. These are deeply symbolic plants.

    The cypress is tall, evergreen, and strong—often associated with life, endurance, and eternal hope.

    The myrtle, with its fragrant leaves and white blossoms, is a symbol of peace, joy, and divine blessing in Jewish tradition.

    Together, they represent a transformation from pain to beauty, from despair to delight, from exile to restoration.

    This speaks to the very heart of God’s nature. He doesn’t just remove the thorns in our lives. He replaces them with something better. Something beautiful. Something enduring.

    A Name and a Reminder

    I named this blog Cypress and Myrtle to remind myself—and hopefully others, that we are never stuck in the wilderness forever. Whether we’re walking through sorrow or standing on a mountaintop, God’s promises still hold. He is always working to bring about renewal and restoration.

    This space is where I hope to share stories, reflections, and everyday moments where I see God’s hand turning thorn bushes into cypress trees, and briers into blossoming myrtle.

    No matter where you are in your journey, may these verses remind you: there is purpose in the waiting, hope in the silence, and beauty still to come.