You see a tree. I see mercy.

When You’ve Lived Without, You See Differently

When you’ve lived in the desert of isolation, you start seeing things differently.

I remember where I used to live—no signs of nature anywhere. Just cracked dirt, dry heat, and endless power lines. The only view I had was bleak. But still, I’d wake early and watch the sky catch the morning light. That small sliver of beauty kept me going.

I used to dream of the day I’d look out my window and see trees dancing in the breeze.

And then, I moved.

A New View, A New Meaning

My new window gave me something different: a single pine tree.

Nothing fancy. No forest. Just a regular ol’ tree.

But let me tell you something—when I look out my window now, I don’t just see a pine tree.

I see God.

I see mercy.

I see grace.

I see a reminder that things do change.

Gratitude Changes Everything

Every time the wind blows, it’s like I’m seeing branches move for the very first time. The leaves sway in slow motion. One day, I was watching in that same stillness when my little sister walked in.

She asked, “What are you looking at?”

I said, “Nature.”

She laughed. “You don’t mean that dumb tree?”

I turned to her and said, “You see a tree. I see life.”

What she doesn’t know is that before this tree, I had nothing.

Before this tree, it was all dust and wires.

So yes, I see it differently. I feel it differently.

Because I’m not just looking at what’s in front of me—I’m remembering what wasn’t.

Everyone Won’t See What You See

I share this with you because I want you to know:

People won’t always see things the way you do.

They haven’t lived your battles.

They haven’t survived your deserts.

But you—you—keep your heart in gratitude.

Talk to God like it’s the first time, every time.

Remember all the things He’s brought you through.

Appreciate your new view.

The way I gaze at that tree, you’d think I was looking at the Amazon jungle.

But here’s the truth:

The Secret of the “Little Things”

You don’t need a lot to be thankful.

I’m grateful for my little tree and that one squirrel.

Because before, all I had was dust and wires.

Here’s another secret:

If you can’t be thankful for the little, you won’t enjoy the much.

And if you won’t appreciate it… it’s easy for God to take it away.

Gratitude invites joy.

What we cherish, we protect.

What we neglect, we lose.

So, celebrate your “little.”

That tree, that breeze, that shift in your spirit.

Because mercy doesn’t always come in waterfalls.

Sometimes it’s just a branch swaying… reminding you—you’re not where you used to be.

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📝 Your Turn

What’s your “tree”?

Drop a comment below or share this post with someone who needs to shift their perspective today. Because sometimes, a fresh view can remind us—we’re already standing in the middle of answered prayers.

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With grace and gratitude,

Kaydian Mais| Writer. Healer.