Brave Like This Sweet Tree
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
I love nature and always feel like it brings me so close to God. My summer at Greystone, I was filled with awe of being surrounded by such beautiful creation all the time. One of the sweetest gifts of that summer was that the awe and moves of my heart wouldn’t just stay still; they began to pour out of me onto paper in the form of poetry.
I’d never really written poems in my life, but for some reason (probably because I spent the whole summer reading through the Psalms), that’s what happened for me. Today, I wanted to share one of my favorites that I still think about quite often. I love how Psalm 1 compares us to strong trees when we delight in the Lord; and that’s totally how I want to be! I pray this encourages you today and opens your eyes to the way God is growing and caring for you just as he cares for the birds and the trees.
Brave Like This Sweet Tree
“From where I sit
It appears as if her arms are stretched wide.
This tree.
This Beacon of shelter on days when the sun beats down.
This promise of hope.
At first, a seed
Pressed deep into the earth
Nurtured in a blanket of soil
Its soul quenched by the cool and refreshing tears of the air
Spoken to lovingly
Encouraged to grow.
Safe.
Strong.
Yet always reaching.
And as this tree ablaze in orange glory stretches out her branches
I am overwhelmed at the sight of her beautiful leaves
Her splendor
Her identity
Falling to the ground.
A season of death is upon her.
A stripping away
A season of rest
Cold, waiting rest.
But there is a promise in the death
A promise of things to come
New life waiting to arrive in the dawn of a new season
If only she can hold on
If only she can hold fast to the promise of spring
A promise whispered deep into her heart by a gentle creator.
And, alas, she is protected.
Her skin is thick
And grows thicker
Year by year
Season by season
Each winter leaves its mark
The harsher the winds, the darker and deeper are the traces
And yet she still is beautiful.
And here I stand
Just a speck in comparison.
And I remember.
Each season passes
Winter comes and goes
And so it is with life.
Each season makes me stronger
Each season adds another layer to my life
My heart
My story
And within each layer lies a glimpse of beauty
An inkling of the past
What once was so present and tangible is now only a story
And somehow this comforts me.
I feel safe beneath her branches that kiss the sky
Thanking it for each moment
Each season
Each scar
For in each one bears the Glory.
This Glory I will taste and chase for all eternity
Until I am made brave like this sweet tree.
Until I am made new.”