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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Trees (12/05/05)
What an incredible enigma is the tree. I can think of no other living thing that sheds its protective clothing and stands naked in the cold winds and snow of winter. As I am looking out my window this morning, there is a maple tree standing in the snow with barren, lifeless branches. They are reaching up towards the sky as if lifting holy hands, or perhaps seeking warmth and sustenance from their creator. I can see skeletons of bird’s nests clutched in those barren branches, those branches that in springtime have sheltered a bird family amongst their leaves. Those branches that will provide a home for another bird family when spring comes again.

The evergreen tree stands green and tall while the storms of winter are blowing round about it. Looking out over the snowy bleak landscape of winter, I see the woods with the bare, dead looking trees and yet there is the evergreen tree, full and succulent adding a splash of color here and there. Folks are tramping into those woods to cut down one of those evergreens and they will take it home, decorate its branches and hopefully celebrate the birth of the Christ child. And I am amazed at the enigma of the tree.

A lone tree grows tall and strong on a hill in a dry and barren land. Its roots must reach ever deeper into the ground seeking the life giving spring of water hidden below the earth’s surface. And that tree will stand for hundreds of years. It may provide protection for animals or shade for a weary traveler seeking rest from a long journey. How does that tree survive? I do not know. And again I am in awe at the incredible enigma that is the tree.

The tree will bear and lose countless numbers of leaves in each yearly cycle. It may produce fruit for human sustenance. It may provide wood for human warmth, or shade for human comfort. It cradles in its branches, the birds of the air and other living creatures as well, that tree becomes their home for a season. And I am again amazed at the incredible enigma that is the tree.

There is a tree on which our savior died to save us from our sins. At one time maybe that tree stood tall and proud on a dry barren hill. It may have nested baby birds in the spring. It may have provided shade in the heat of the day and its wood may have provided warmth for someone in the cold. It may have even produced fruit for sustenance, or perhaps it was a full and succulent evergreen tree, we don’t know. And we don’t need to know, for the most awesome and important job of that tree was to hold our Savior as he gave up HIS life for you and me. And I thank GOD for the incredible enigma that is the tree!
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This article has been read 809 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sandra Petersen
12/15/05
Sandra Petersen
12/15/05
I had to answer the phone and my original comments were erased somehow. I hope I can remember what I wrote.
Let me be the first to give you a glowing review! What a beautiful and deeply meditative devotion this is!
You linked all of your paragraphs with the repeating in different words of the awe you had in the enigma that is the tree. Well done!
So very few little picky proofreading suggestions. I would try to combine these two sentences: "As I am looking out my window this morning, there is a maple tree standing in the snow with barren, lifeless branches. They are reaching up towards the sky as if lifting holy hands, or perhaps seeking warmth and sustenance from their creator.", maybe saying instead "As I look out my window this morning, a maple tree stands in the snow, its barren, lifeless branches reaching toward the sky. Is the maple lifting holy hands, or perhaps seeking warmth and sustenance from its Creator?" There are a few other ways you coulc change this while tightening your word usage.
In the last paragraph I wouldn't put His or God in all caps. Let your words, as they already do, bring emphasis to this main idea. I would also capitalize Savior.
I was truly blessed by this article. Thank you so much for sharing it!