The TREE – Temporary Reminder of Everlasting Existence

One of the unintended benefits of a Pandemic lockdown is a priceless opportunity for reflection. And so, this is one of those opportunities taken well.

The tree always fascinates me. I have often wondered why?

As I thought about this during my early morning walk, the following insights were gained.

The TREE is silent yet powerful because it offers a:

Temporary

Reminder of

Everlasting

Existence.

Like every sunrise, each tree is unique. There are some which are lean while others are stocky; some are tall, others are short; some just bloom, others bear fruit; some are stable while others are pliable; some have well-shaped leaves, others have variegated foliage; some have a sweet scent, others have a pungent smell, and some are thorny while others are smooth.

In other words, no tree is the same.

Even among those who come from similar species maintain a certain level of uniqueness.

Every tree’s uniqueness reminds me of human lives.

It almost seems that the appearance of each tree represents the fingerprint.

The tree’s usefulness is shared with us by our science teacher who spoke of the carbon dioxide and oxygen interchange. Without such, life will cease.

But the tree’s usefulness is often universally experienced when they are chopped down to die. I really do not think that nobody has benefited from a dead tree.

Aside from the firewood and charcoal used for cooking, just look at your abode! The tree is all over, from your roof to your floor; from your frames to your door; from your utensils to your furniture; from your clothes to your paper; from your baskets to your fruits – some portion of a tree is there.

What shall we do without a tree?

If the tree is not allowed to coexist with us, life would be imbalanced and eventually, it will cease.

That is why humans must nurture the trees so that they will flourish and offer us life in all its abundance.

This reflection has reminded me of Alfred Joyce Kilmer’s (1886-1918) poetry which I have learned to memorize and sing. It is simply entitled “Trees.”

“I think that I shall never see,
            A poem lovely as a tree.
                        A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
            A tree that looks at God all day,
            And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
                        A tree that may in summer wear
                        A nest of robins in her hair;
            Upon whose bosom snow has lain;   
            Who intimately lives with rain.
                        Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree”

Yes, as only God can make a tree; only God makes you and me!

The Almighty God has given us a precious gift of life; we can offer a special gift back to Him by living this life for His honour and glory.

And the wondrous thought of all is this: through Christ, this life becomes eternal. Of that, every Tree reminds me!