A Faithful Friend

It’s always a part of the morning routine,

A sleepy shuffle through the kitchen, sliding open the blinds and then the sliding door to let the dog out,

I yawn and stretch, turning my eyes to my faithful friend standing there,

And I smile.

Her, my favorite little pear tree that we planted shortly after moving into this house. It’s only an ornamental tree, no big, juicy pears to pluck and enjoy in the fall, but still, she ministers to me.

Standing tall, waiting to greet me with a cheerful “hello”, a constant I can count on, but at the same time, ever-changing. 

I witness the change when she surrenders thick leathery leaves, drops of golden amber, in the late fall.

And observe another transformation as her bare branches shiver in the winter winds, and she humbly accepts sparkling covers of ice and snow, diamonds for her slender frame.

Soon, I behold her warming up to springtime, when she blushes her thanks with thousands of brilliant white blooms, exquisite veils of fine lace befitting a gorgeous wedding day.

And when the temps rise high, I glory in her branches stuffed full with the brightest green leaves, emerald cups held up high to catch the summer rains and to pour out welcome shade to all that lies beneath her.

No matter the season, as the cycle continues on, I’m always delighted to see lots of little birds perching in her branches, not far from the supply of seed that we offer all year round. The flutter of feathers and the sweetest of songs add even more vibrant life to her branches.

I look at that tree, and I worship.

I worship my God who made this little tree, I give Him thanks, and I stand in awe.

He is the One who made the sun, and the moon, and the stars that swirl around her day and night, and He made all of the seasons that change her. He is the One who made me, who made my heart, and gave me eyes to see so much more than a tree,

I see the changes in me.

I daily rediscover His perfect love for me looking over at that little tree, 

and I worship.

I see how she stands with quiet confidence, roots firmly planted in the ground, branches reaching high toward heaven, always pointing up, pointing to Him, and she compels me to do the same.

She also reminds of the wood of an ancient tree, wood that held His hands and feet, and I weep. My sin, the nails that drove in deep, His blood, the only way to wash it clean.

And I wonder, if one day when I stand in the most beautiful garden with my Savior next to me, looking wondrously upon the tree of life, if for just a moment, I’ll be reminded of that little pear tree,

And I’ll give Him thanks once more for my favorite little tree,

and right there face to face,

I’ll worship.

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Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; 

and there he put the man he had formed.  

The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—

trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. 

In the middle of the garden were 

the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

- Genesis 2:8-9

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

My heavenly guide brought me to the river of pure living waters, 

shimmering as brilliantly as crystal. 

It flowed out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 

flowing down the middle and dividing the street of the holy city. 

On each bank of the river stood the tree of life, firmly planted, bearing twelve kinds of fruit 

and producing its sweet crop every month throughout the year. 

And the soothing leaves that grew on the tree of life provided precious healing for the nations. 

No one or nothing will labor under any curse any longer. 

And the throne of God and of the Lamb will sit prominently in the city.

God’s servants will continually serve and worship Him. 

They will be able to look upon His face, 

and His name will be written on their foreheads. 

Darkness will never again fall on this city. 

They will not require the light of a lamp or of the sun 

because the Lord God will be their illumination. 

By His light, they will reign throughout the ages.

- Revelation 22:1-5 

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Linking up with Kelli and a beautiful community of bloggers over at Unforced Rhythms today.