There is a tree that you can see in all of its beauty as you sit at the Broken Bean coffee shop looking toward the Methodist church. I am not sure how old it is, but it has been there awhile. There is just something about it that speaks to my heart. It reminds me of the trees in the Garden of Eden. It reminds me of Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8 about being planted by streams of water and bearing fruit. It reminds me of the Scripture in Ephesians 3 that speaks to us about being rooted and grounded in love. It reminds of God as the Gardner, Jesus, the True Vine, and we are the branches.
As I sat on one of the benches recently, watching the traffic go by, listening to the sounds around me, and feeling peaceful and refreshed under the covering of the branches, I picked up my journal and these words just fell on the page.
The beautiful tree stands tall and deeply rooted.
Its branches reach out wide and shade the area below.
The benches under the tree offer a place to rest.
The tree seems to invite you to come and sit awhile.
O, what this tree has witnessed.
The stories it would have to share.
Those who came seeking refuge and rest.
They came sharing their laughter, tears, prayers, and presence. The rain, the sunshine, the storms and at times even snow. The warm and cold of the seasons.
It has seen it all. It has felt it all.
The tree is much like our God, witnessing everything in our lives. He offers a place of quiet and stillness.
His arms stretch wide and deep with His love, grace, and mercy. In His presence we find rest and refreshment for our weary souls. In His presence we are nourished and renewed.
He invites us to come and share our laughter, tears, joys, and prayers.
He sees it all and feels it all.
O, the stories God shares with us and we share with Him.
The journey He invites us to travel with Him now and forevermore into eternity. A beautiful tree; a beautiful life; our beautiful God.
Your fellow sojourner, Jennifer Thomas
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