Autumn Trees

 

Autumn Trees

    Leaves are dropping from the trees, spiraling to the ground in swift succession  Soon, the limbs will be bare and this beautiful color will be a glowing memory.  These trees are in the backyards of my neighbor and I.  We saw the leaves below on our recent trip to North Carolina:

Red against the blue sky in Hickory, NC

Golden leaves in Old Salem, Winston-Salem NC

    I've always loved to see the brilliant colors of Autumn leaves and to hear the crunch of dry beauty underfoot in piles on the sidewalk.  Actually, trees in general are special in my book.  They have such a message to share with us, if we'll just hear it.  Here's a few stanzas of the wonderful poem by Joyce Kilmer wrote way back in 1913 -- it's a classic!

    I think that I shall never see

    A poem lovely as a tree.

    A tree that looks at God all day,

    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

    A tree that may in Summer wear

    A nest of robins in her hair;

    Poems are made by fools like me,

    But only God can make a tree.

    I've always considered trees to be a living example of faithfulness to God, their maker.  Of course, I realize that a tree has no freewill of its own to do otherwise, but putting that fact aside, we can still visualize faithfulness in the way the tree stands firmly in the place that God has put it.  As the poet said, it's raises its leafy arms in praise to its Creator and helps forest creatures along the way.  The tree produces fresh green leaves each Spring and those leaves provide fresher air and shade for those who are nearby.  Then, in Autumn, their leaves change into a blaze of color for the enjoyment of all who see.  In winter, they rest before beginning their cycle anew the next Spring.

    The Bible has a lot to say about trees.  Here are a few messages God offers us from the tree:

    "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord...He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit," Jeremiah 17:7-8.

    "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever," Psalm 52:8.

    "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and whoever captures souls is wise," Proverbs 11:30.

    And even though we consider that trees have no will of their own, yet, we have these amazing verses in God's Holy Word:

    "Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth," 1 Chronicles 16:34

    "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace...and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands," Isaiah 55:12.

    I love it!  God created trees and He can empower them to do anything He wishes for them to do.  I believe He wants them to stand as a reminder to us to be steadfast and faithful in seeking to do the will of God in our lives - and to praise God from whom all blessings flow!