For we know in part
and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes,
the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child,
I talked like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man,
I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection
as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known.
Paul — The First Letter to the Church at Corinth 13:9-12
I thought in my heart,
“Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.”
But that also proved to be meaningless.
“Laughter, “ I said, “is foolish.
And what does pleasure accomplish?”
I tried cheering myself with wine,
and embracing folly—
my mind still guiding me with wisdom.
I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven
during the few days of their lives.
I undertook great projects:
I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house.
I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
I amassed silver and gold for myself,
and the treasure of kings and provinces.
I acquired men and women singers,
and a harem as well—
the delights of the heart of man.
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless,
a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
He could see naught but vanity in beauty,
And naught but weakness in a fond caress,
And pitied men whose views of Christian duty
Allowed indulgence in such foolishness.
Josiah Gilbert Holland, Daniel Gray, stanza 9
But . . . but . . . but . . . God carresses the earth with beauty every Spring! David Gray maybe never stuck his nose into a lovely collection of spring beauties, suppose?
Some trees, like some people, use the wounds of their past to shape them for sheltering. They grow to have room in their hearts for all and that certain open-armed welcome you just know you will need someday.
Others go on to be more nurturing. They serve and give generously, providing those who come to them with nothing less than plenty. We will look at some of those types of trees, today.
And, although these trees offer tantalizing refreshments, let us not forget the harm they endured to become what they are:
It can be hard to imagine how these trees must have looked when they were going through all this scarring and the needed recovery, but now they look inviting, as if something special might be happening in their lives.
What about you?
We have a lot of dead trees after last summer’s drought and have been marking them for a sale. Since I was keeping the tally while someone else did all the work, I could spend time looking around. I have seen a LOT of trees.
Some of these poor things are real troopers and remind me of myself and some of my friends. They have been wounded down near their bases by ice storms, insects, buck deer, and other invaders of their quiet domain. I wonder if I am imagining things here, or if others can see themselves in these trees, too.
This first type is the sheltering type:
This tree will never make fine furniture grade. It is a humble, struggling entity, but has a spot to share with any other humble, struggling entity. Can’t you imagine a wee mouse family finding comfort here?
Here is another. Don’t you love the way this tree, though obviously dealt a heavy blow in early life, has risen to the occasion by developing an upward-reaching lifestyle in non-standard ways? It ‘s almost like a life motto: Always reach up!
And because of their flaws, they will never be part of a paladian palace. They may not even possess health enough to live as long as other trees.
But they do make a grand shelter from a snowy wind.
This one is similar, but look: Perhaps it was a bit older when it’s down days came, or the damage was heavier, but this one is able not only to help a bit larger creature, but also to provide guaranteed dryness during storms. Who couldn’t use a friend like that!
But here is my favorite:
I knew I remembered this one and looked a long time to find it for you. I named it “Drama Queen” because of that look of surprise all over it. I imagine a friend I normally would not hang with a lot, because she is loud and pushy. Yet, I know I am safe with her and if I needed anything, big or small, she would be so glad to help me, to draw me in with what might seem like five or six arms, and would have a large base of resources to draw from.
Wounded? Yes, they all are.
Fine, straight, high dollar? Nope.
Just invaluable to someone and absolutely necessary in this ol’ life.
Looking into this clear stream and viewing the pebbles on the sand so surprised me. I seldom think on how much is hiding below the water, below the surface.
How easy to notice the reflection of glorious cloud billows and soaring trees, shimmering on the surface! How delightful the sparkles that wink into view and then dance away!
How common to love the outward appearance of the stream.
But to look down, to concentrate on what’s beyond the first impression, to stare deeply at what makes the stream a stream–that is like God.
When, upon looking, we find courser things such as mud, sand, dead leaves, gravel, what then?
Why! Then, elevating! Elevating grit and pebbles to positions of great importance!
For without them lying still, working their quiet work, the dancing sparkles become quagmire.
The starlight of heaven above us shall quiver
As our souls flow in one down eternity’s river.
Thomas Osborne Davis 1814 -1835
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