May 04th, 2026

More Than a Chunk of Wood
By Joyce Pelletier
May 10, 2026

As I tried to write my blog for this week, I hit some stumbling blocks. I woke up at 3 a.m.  and as I spent my time in quiet prayer, I asked God what I should write about and this is what came to light.
A few weeks ago, Maurice was working on his pile of firewood, as he often does. I took a walk in the warm sunshine. When I returned, I saw this chunk of wood that had been sawed and was just sitting there and more than piqued my attention. It now sits on the stone border of my back garden, waiting to be varnished and preserved. 
This chunk became more than that for me. It became a special gift from God. Maurice understands wood and its creation. I am a painter and I was looking for the message from this chunk of wood. I have never seen anything like this. 
Sitting at my desk in the wee hours of this day, I gained a new perspective of the meaning of this chunk of wood. I cannot accept this as a piece of firewood. It would be a heartbreak to burn this. Maurice did remind me it was not good firewood. It had a different purpose. My intention is to make it a piece of art for my garden. 
I feel joy looking at this chunk of wood. God gives me the perspective He has in mind and it brings a message to my heart.  He got my attention. God designed this. Maurice sees it as discarded firewood, and it’s no longer living as a tree. In its current condition, it shows what looks like a map of the world in a distorted sort of way. I plan to varnish it as a piece of art, thinking thoughts of wonder and enjoying the creativity before me. 
In Philippians 4:4-9 I read, ‘Rejoiced in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is nearby! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, Brothers and Sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me –put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.’
Something like this, shown as a Chunk of wood, becomes more than what appears to be just a chunk of wood! Mysteriously created either by deteriorating wood because it was cut down and dried up and worthless no more. Perhaps it is a creation by something unknown. One thing for sure and that is God know how it happens, and one day we will all know His majestic miracles. For now, I know not how or what created this chunk of wood and it’s been a time of amazing enjoyment for having seen it. I can honestly understand what Philippians is telling us.
As a bonus to my blog, as I looked at other pieces of the pieces of this mysterious tree, I found a unique piece of a sealed over hole in the tree that I plan on turning it into a picture frame. God is so good! We can find beauty in anything. It is the wonder of our Creator God!

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