Dear Friends,
Each year we celebrate Arbor Day or National Plant a Tree Day and I wonder what tree might be your favourite.
Many years ago I used to walk in the forest near my home and found an old gnarled tree. It was not a thing of beauty nor did it provide shade but I found in that tree strength, tenacity, and endurance. It encouraged me to keep going and not to give up. It became my “hugging tree”. We too can show strength, tenacity and can endure whatever comes our way.
We used to sing a song in Primary School: “Trees, trees, beautiful trees, plant them and help them grow, care is repaid by cool green shade, trees beautiful trees” A quote by Torie Cooper reflected my own thoughts: – “I gaze upon them and see myself – bent, broken, and twisted in places.
We all are.
We sometimes struggle to grow in the harsh sun, fierce wind, and driving rain of life’s challenges. To look upon ourselves and see the sweet beauty of our brokenness is to fully accept what is. Like our ‘ sister’ the gnarled old gum tree, we are indeed so very beautiful and we are loved.”
The trees in the woodland where I live, have been a part of the Cumberland State Forest so are many years old.
They give shelter to many birds, they give shade on a hot day, they stand tall during storms, however sometimes they are broken by the winds, and when branches fall, these become habitat for lizards and other small creatures.
Gracious God, we thank you that you use us too, even when we are broken.
Help us to see the strength, endurance and beauty in each other, even in our brokenness.
Help us to remember that we are precious and that you love us. Amen In Christian Love and Service.
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