Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Today's Devotional Scripture

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not
wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3


Thoughts on today’s verse…
I love trees. Yes… trees! I love all kinds of them – tall ones, short ones, full ones, even the skimpy ones. I especially love trees that produce fruit, flowers, colorful leaves, and wonderful scents. I miss trees that lose their leaves in the autumn because I especially loved to look at them bare branched during the winter months with a dusting of snow that contrasts so wonderfully against their stark, dark bark. (A bit of a rhyme, sorry…)

When the winter doldrums hit – those days of grey skies and indescribable grey moods, I would look to those naked trees with their upturned branches. It often appeared that their branches were raised in symbolic praise and prayer. As if they were beckoning to God to be touched with life, once again. And eventually they would be. The snow would be melting, the scent of newness (spring) would be in the air and overnight, buds would appear! It was always so miraculous and yet so expected.


I also love weeping willows. They are almost poetic when brushed by the wind. It’s as if they are brooms gently sweeping the earth, cleansing the area in which they reside.


When we moved into our home here in Arizona, there was a huge Mulberry tree growing from the side of the canal behind our house. It was well over 100 years old, displayed the scars of lightening strikes and because it was the southwest, I called it the ‘hanging tree.’ (It probably wasn’t, I just called it that…) It housed a family of owls. I enjoyed hearing them calling out in the evening. Sometimes in the morning, I would find remnants of critters they had caught and were taking back to the nest, only to drop them in the yard. As disgusting as that was, I hoped the baby owls didn’t have to go without food during the night.


That century old tree was strongly rooted next to that canal. That’s how I want to be – strongly rooted in my faith – like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. And just like the ‘hanging tree,’ that takes time and seasons and even the storms of life as evidenced through the lightening strikes. Growth often seems slow, but it is happening, as long as we pursue it. We must faithfully seek the Lord, study His Word, and fellowship with like minded believers. We must also talk to Him and allow Him time to speak to us.

My prayer…


Lord, thank You for trees that speak to my heart! Help me to slow down and admire your creativity. May I grow into an oak of righteousness. May I not become so rigid that I break, but may I retain some of the qualities of the willow, that of being bendable and malleable. May I have the joy of watching my loved ones benefit in the shadow of my shade due only to Your goodness. In Jesus’ name ~Amen!


Yours, because we’re His,


Tamara

2 comments:

  1. Tamara...Do you mind my asking how long it takes you to write your devotionals..? They are so well-written and well thought out...speaking of such deep yet relavent truths. I admire you greatly...
    Jackie

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  2. What a beautiful way to describe and see trees. I, too, love trees and when we first moved to Arizona I said there are no trees but gradually I did see them even though they were scattered here and there. It made me look for trees and appreciate them that much more.

    Tamara, now you will have me seeing bare trees as lifting their 'arms' up to their Creator and awaiting His blessings...that is such a wonderful image and I even like the weeping willow sweeping and cleaning!

    What a marvelous job you do with these wonderful devotionals, Tamara, thank you so much!

    blessings and hugs,

    marcy

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