by Sr. Liana de Jesus                                         Brazil/ USA                                       15.08.2026

I found a tree trunk by the sea. It taught me about the empty space where God might live.

I was walking by the sea only appreciating the beauty that God created. At this moment I saw it, an old tree trunk cathedral, bleached by salt and sun. It seemed useless, an empty trunk, a cathedral washed up by the sea. But when I looked closer at it and looked.
The inside of the empty trunk cathedral was very dark. I understood that the emptiness inside of me sometimes was what God desired for me.
Most of the time God desires human beings to be empty like this tree trunk to be His house for a time.

Because only in the deep silence that is emptiness can you find the space for God in your life. When you think that you are alone, God cares for you and you can find the treasure that is hidden inside of your heart. Sometimes you spend years looking in the wrong place for this treasure.

How many times have you felt like this trunk – empty? It is a challenge for you to find space in your life to grow this room inside of your heart. It is not the end; it is a sign that you need to move on.

But if you pay attention to what is at the back of this trunk, you will see trees. Full of life. These living trees are calling to you, “Don’t give up.” Be grateful for this moment in your life. If you have hope you will believe that the Divinity of God is at this moment working in your life. If you allow God to work in this empty space, you will understand more about your life.

When Jesus was crucified, He felt empty and alone like this tree trunk. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Although he felt forsaken, he said: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Like Jesus, I invite you to give to God what we can’t change. Make the empty place the house of God in your life.