My love for trees began in my childhood. The big tree in my grandmother’s yard

became the base for playing “hide and seek.” My cousins and I slugged it out for the peach tree whose fork and branches made a perfect place to sit and watch the trains go by while eating peaches.

            Granny’s house still stands but only one tree remains. In my mind’s eye I see it  with Christmas lights. The elm tree and its tire swing are gone but the memory of it blesses me as I think of swinging to the rhythm of Granny’s windmill.

            Don’t you just admire the beauty of trees? The fall colors are spectacular and the blossoming of spring inspires me. I love to read Joyce Kilmer’s poem about trees.

“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.” I agree.

Trees intrigue me. Have you ever thought about how important they are?   We have planted many trees in the forty-five years we have lived on our corner. Our trees and boys have grown together. Tree houses, sword fights and swings made many happy days for our sons. Our fruit trees gave many cobblers for hungry boys

            I learned a valuable lesson from one of the trees we planted. We planted it too close to other trees and they branched out over my smaller one. I watched the little evergreen grow with great interest. It seemed to refuse to be intimidated. No matter how large the other trees grew and brushed against it, the smaller tree stood its ground. It has grown with patience and persistence and is now the tallest one of all. Through the years this tree didn’t look at its surroundings. It didn’t mind the problems. If it could have talked, I don’t think it would have murmured and complained about the others trees crowding it out. From my vantage point I like to think this tree is a champion! It’s fortitude and faith not only helped it to survive, but flourish. What a blueprint for life!

In my creative writing class one student wrote a story about the giant elm tree right behind our classroom.  He gave voice to the tree saying, “I have been shading children for the last sixty-two years. I watched them play. I watched them grow. I watched them learn. I gave them rest under my leaves.”  I kept his story and I wonder if his son is now playing under the same tree.

Trees have a special unique quality. They are gifts from God and provide so many things for our lives. Trees are mentioned many times in the Bible.

            Psalm 1:3 talks about the person who obeys God, “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.” (NIV)

             I love to look out my window and see my trees “clapping their hands” and I remember Isaiah 55:12,  “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (NIV)

             John 12:13 is about palm trees. “They took palm branches and went out to meet him (Jesus), shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (NIV)”

            Jesus was crucified on a cruel wooden cross for you and me. Yet that is not the end of the story.  Revelation 22 reveals the hope of glory about the “tree of life.” 

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life…”(NIV)

            The best tree of all....”The tree of life!”