Soul Songs
Title: The Oak Tree and Me
by Diann Messer
The Oak Tree and Me
I was four years old when my family moved into the house on
Fleming Street. Standing in the middle of the backyard was, and still is,
a large oak tree. For fifty years I have observed the life of this tree.
I’ve noticed that with each season, there is a unique quality to be seen
and appreciated. The seasons in the life of this tree parallel the seasons
of my own life.
In the summertime, the tree spreads its mighty branches,
densely clothed in healthy oak leaves. The thick covering of leaves provides
a shelter from the heat of the sun. During this season, the oak tree also
produces an abundance of acorns for the squirrels to enjoy. This tree is
both nurturing and fruitful in the summertime.
“God, I pray that in my own summertime of life, You will help me to be both
nurturing and fruitful. May I also spread my arms open to all who pass
by. May I shelter the needy from the heat of their day and feed them with
the fruit produced by Your Spirit in me.”
In the fall of the year, the fluctuating temperatures produce a new beauty
in the oak tree. The leaves that have been thick and green begin to undergo
some changes. Greens turn into golds and oranges and then to a rich, deep
red coloring. Finally, one by one the leaves begin to fall to the ground.
Their beauty was grand, but fleeting.
“God, help me to respond to the changes
in my life as the oak tree. Weather changes only added to the beauty of
this tree. At the same time, help me to remember that beauty lasts only
for a season, it is temporary and fleeting. True beauty is the inner beauty
of the heart that comes from knowing You and trusting You to get me through
all the many changes that come my way in life.”
On the heels of the autumn color collage comes the inevitable winter wind.
The tree stands stark and barren in the winter cold. The solid white landscape
created by a winter snow only adds a dramatic contrast against the black
bark of the somber oak. On the worst of winter days an ice storm blasts
the tree. Every branch and limb is coated with a thick glaze of crystal,
which produces a magnificent spectacle for the eyes. The tree sparkles
and shines in the weakened winter sunlight, with the brilliance of a thousand
diamonds.
“Father, when the cold, cruel winds of winter blow against my
life, help me to stand strong and silent as this oak. When my life is blasted
with the icy-cold winds that sometimes come my way, please cover me so that
I may sparkle and shine with Your love, as a testimony to Your grace at
work in me.”
In the springtime, as the winter chill finally releases its grip, a warmer
sun begins to coax the buds of new life from the branches of the oak tree.
In a short time, new leaves begin to cover its majestic limbs once again.
It has withstood the winter one more time and new life bursts forth.
“God,
help me to remember that winter only lasts for a season in my life too.
The cold winds of winter always give way to the warming rays of the springtime
sun, causing me to burst forth with newness of life that is found in You
alone.”
Along with the changing seasons, this tree has also withstood many hailstorms,
electrical storms and even a few tornadoes. I remember one day, in particular,
when the tree was struck by lightning. The sound was deafening! We were
worried about the tree for a while, not sure it could survive such a violent
assault as this lightning bolt. Some limbs had to be cut away in order
to preserve its life, but it did survive both the lightning and the cutting
away of some of its limbs.
“Father, help me to understand that life does
deal some violent assaults against my own soul at times. There have been
many days when I wasn’t sure I could make it either, but You came along
and lovingly trimmed away the damaged branches of my life. You cut and
trimmed until I wasn’t sure if I could survive the necessary, life-sparing
surgery. Just like the oak, I too, have survived both the violent assaults
and the cutting away of the damaged areas of my life. New growth is bursting
forth, just as You knew it would. Seasons will come and go in my life,
just as they do for the oak tree. Fifty years have come and gone, and we
are both still standing…by Your grace.”
VIEW PAST ARTICLES
Visit Diann's other Ministry Page called "Soul Song For Survivors"
|
|
