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Topic: Seasons (12/08/03)
TITLE: Four Seasons, Trees and a Christian By Martha Currington 12/14/03 |
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By: Martha Currington
The four seasons that God created are necessary for life and reveal many truths. I became more aware of this fact one cold, breezy day in January. For several years I have taken various people to their doctor’s appointments at the same clinic. I usually take advantage of the “alone” time to write, while sitting in my car waiting. I park in my customary parking spot .From there I can enjoy the view of the wooded area across the road..
During the spring months I marvel at the sprouting buds on the trees, then new green leaves becoming alive, a time of renewal.
During the summer months, I enjoy and appreciate the shade that the full grown leaves of the larger trees cast across to protect me from the heat of the scorching sun..
As the fall season reaches it’s peak, I am in awe of the natural magnificence of the varying rich colors of the tree’s foliage.
Winter, now winter is a tell-tell season revealing the hidden life of these trees. During the three preceding seasons, the foliage get all the attention and appreciation of admirers. But once the leaves fall to bless the soil with rich mulch, their source and way of life is exposed.
On this particular breezy January day, I studied the various shapes and strength of the barren tree trunks and branches. It became evident that they had traits similar to ours. Their different shapes and growth arrangements revealed the life they lived even when hidden from view by all the growth of underbrush and foliage during the previous seasons. Some trees had overlapping trunks, depending on one another for survival. Others had long limbs stretched upward, seemingly praising their Creator. Several had grown in a bending fashion, their growth stunted by the underbrush. Yet about midway of the trunk, their growth became straight as they grew to a height where they could receive sunlight. Two slender trees were being brushed against each other by the wind, sometimes entangling their frail limbs. It looked as if they were embracing, expressing love. Two trees in particular had grown close, trunk to trunk, exemplifying friendship. Alas, there were also wobbly, slanting dwarfed trees, made this way by adversity that they couldn’t overcome. Then there were the strong trees, spaced apart, having room to grow tall, receiving sunlight and essential elements necessary for a fruitful life. These strong trees showed me that this is how God’s children should be in the winter moments of their lives.
As a Christian I can relate to all four seasons.
Spring is a time of new birth. The instant I stepped out into the aisle during altar call at a local church revival many years ago, repenting and accepting Jesus into my heart, I received a new birth. I became a new person within, graced by the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.
Summer is a time to grow, then reap the harvest of seeds sown. My inner life grew in the love and knowledge of the Holy Trinity. The spiritual harvest was great, reaping rewards of untold measure.
Fall is a time of slowing down and change. I see the beauty of others, each individual, unique in splendor, as the person that God created them to be.
Winter is a time of rest for the trees. The sap hibernates, so they stand without their leafy covering , exposed to the world. I can identify with each shape and size of the barren trunks, as I am laid bare of all pretense, all things that have hindered my spiritual growth as a Christian. I have been the underbrush with minimum growth. I have been the dwarfed trunk with obstacles to overcome in order to grow and then growing straight as I received light. I have been brushed against others by the power of the Holy Spirit, embracing mankind, expressing love. And I have grown side by side with others in close friendship.
With continuous grace, mercy and unconditional love from the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, I can stand tall and strong like the larger trees, with my limbs uplifted praising God.
Of such is a revelation of nature. God promised that as long as the earth remains, the seasons will not cease. This knowledge lifts my spirit, gives me hope, and expands my love for God and mankind.
Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (KJV)