September 2026 Newsletter - Magazine - Page 16
Reflections of Love
When I planted this peach tree, it was healthy, but somewhere along the way, it began to look
like it was dying. It lost all its leaves and fruit. I was still faithful in watering that tree even
though the landscaper wanted to cut it down. One morning I went out to water it, and I
noticed new leaves sprouting all over it. It was still alive. This all happened during the heat
wave we just went through.
That tree reminded me that God specializes in situations that look like they9re over. For me it
was a dead tree. Ezekiel was dealing with a valley of dry bones. You might be dealing with a
sickness in your body, broken marriage, or scraping together your quarters and dimes to
make ends meet. Remember when everyone else walks away, and things look like they are
over&God will always stay by your side. Watering you day by day, moment by moment. Never
giving up&because its not over.
Bishop House, that tree reminded me so much of what you9ve done for me. How you never
gave up on me. How you came to water, encourage, and father me. Over the years, I have
seen you do the same for countless others. You saw things in me I didn9t see in myself. So,
you watered, and as I grew, I was able to water others. The program I created, The Toe Tag
Monologues, is helping young people all over America.
Dr. Mary L House 4 I remember standing outside the
church on Yale Street, handing you a seven-page
handwritten skit. You said that this isn9t a skit, this is a play.
You were the first person to ever call me a playwright. You
said we should do it at Durango High School and so we did.
We were transitioning from Yale Street to Durango because
the congregation out-grew that little church. It was a
Sunday night. Standing room only. The news media showed
up. The Sheriff and his whole family showed up. It was so
prophetic.
Bishop House and Dr. Mary L. House you both have spoken
prophetically into my life. You both loved me and kept
watering to help make me the man I am today. Thank you!
For over 36 years you both have been changing lives and
giving hope to the hopeless. You stay on the front lines and
in the trenches helping broken people&watering broken
people. Congratulations on thirty-six years of watering.
PS &..Hey friend, you might be reading this and going
through a difficult time in your life. Things might look like
they are falling apart but trust me, they are really falling
together. Believe me when I tell you, it9s not over.
Stay Faithful&Trust God&KEEP WATERING.
Byron Stringer
