To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

~Isaiah 61:3 ESV

The imagery of an old tree once touched me.

The Tree

The many burels, twists, and distortions made the old tree unique and beautiful. Its imperfections became hollows for squirrels and birds and made a perfect resting spot for me beneath its broad limbs.

I imagined the life the tree bore to become so unique and how, perhaps, if it had its way, it would have chosen a perfectly straight trunk and nicely proportioned limbs so as not to look so different. Yet, by all that it had lived through, it became a picture of resilience, a place of refuge and shade, and an abode of unorthodox beauty. It stood in unassuming dignity, unwavering and perfected in its imperfection.

I stood beside it and reflected on my life and ideals. We all long for our lives to look perfectly ordered and straight—just as we idealized them. But that’s not life for most. In fact, that’s not actually living.

The Lessons

Life is wild—an adventure with plenty of uncertainties, a good mix of failures, try-agains, rough patches, and tough seasons. Sometimes, life also reaches spectacular heights. It is messy and develops us in different ways. Yet, as we grow into it, we become one-of-a-kind masterpieces planted and held together by God’s grace and goodness, which He demonstrates in every season.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

~Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

This tree reminds us that straight trunks are dull. Life is beautiful, even when it’s messy. God works in the gnarly parts of our lives, and we find His hand there, too.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

~Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV

The Conclusions

Determine to live well, reaching high despite your imperfect state. Let God’s kindness uphold you as you are established in His truth and made perfect by His grace. Most of all, hold fast to His love and find comfort and resilience as He leads you through the weathering of life.

Think of a few things you can learn from an old tree. 

Lord, I reach for You with my arms held high and my roots deep. I give You all that I am–the scars, the twists and turns in life, the rough places, and the places full of beauty. Help me be a place of comfort and refuge for others despite my imperfections. Everything I have is Yours. Through every season, help me stay rooted in You and remember that life is made beautiful with You, regardless of how each season appears. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: An Old Tree: Kristi LaRee: All Rights Reserved