I Wish that I Could be..a Tree

Posted by PicasaThe day dawned misty and the route I drove to work took on an unfamiliar look, as houses and trees, wrapped in a cotton ball fog, combined with mud splashed snow to create a creamy mocha, soft focus, sepia photograph day.
I was driving "relaxed," as per Frances's police officer's instructions (for those who aren't regular readers, see Three Fast Friends on March 8th).
Taking the ramp off the highway, I waited for the red light to change to green and admired a stand of trees across the road, serene and beautiful in their utter stillness; bare, soft taupe branches graceful, against the soft backdrop of the day.
And I thought to myself, "I wish I could be like a tree; standing so still," and I thought of the man in Psalm 1 who is like a tree planted by streams of water; with roots going down deep so that its leaf doesn't wither.
A tree is a beautiful picture of rest, drawing nourishment and bearing fruit.
And the trees sang to my soul a song it needed to hear, for I have nothing to say but what he tells me, and I only hear him when I'm still long enough to listen, waiting like a little sparrow, for crumbs to fall from heaven.
Later as I drove back to my office, I was reading the signs of the businesses in the neighbourhood, and saw a lawyer's shingle with the business name, Sorley and Still.
"Still"--even the word sounds peaceful. I want to be still.

Psalm 1:3 (New International Version)
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Comments

Joyful Fox said…
Beautiful. I could see the elegant graceful trees, feel the serenity, and imagine the stillness.

Oh to be trees, standing still with roots so deep, that our foliage doesn't wither. That we draw our sustenance from the living God and do not grow weary or discoloured but remain vibrant and bright.

Thanks for the beauty of words and places of rest and renewal that exist in Him.

I love Psalm 1.
11:04 PM
Dave Hingsburger said…
"Gosh lady you shure write pretty." I feel like my awe reduces my ability to express myself, no one, no one at all, can describe the world the way that you do ... what a gift God has given you, thank you for using it.
4:47 AM
Belinda said…
Well I am rendered speechless too. Thank you kind sir! :)
7:35 PM
Anonymous said…
Someone compared me to a tree once. She arranged the words on a pretty piece of paper and put it in a protective plastic sleeve to be carefully preserved. She made reference to bent limbs and a trunk scarred from having weathered and stood through many hardships - the storms of life, and how that all seemed to have become part of the beauty of this tree.

It was a "blessing" that was sorely needed at the time (it's still needed!) and will never be forgotten. And though I love this post, that one will somehow always be my favourite of your writings about trees. :o)
8:40 PM
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