Gnarled Tree

I saw a gnarled tree as I walked along today.
It’s spindly thin branches reached out to me to say,
“I know in your eyes I’m still quite beautiful to you,
for you know something that makes what I say true!
My twisted, distorted body is no longer its youthful form,
but you know I’ve sheltered many from the harsh rains
and the storm.

“No longer young, I cannot run or play in the strong gusty wind,
but I sit quietly, still observing, still learning from all
my Creator sends.
And I still stand tall inside though my outer form
is bent and frail,
for those who have eyes to see beneath my twisted outer shell.”

. . . This morning, I stopped on the sidewalk, observing this beautiful gnarled tree. I stared at it for a while and just listened to the words that spoke to my heart about the life of this tree. No, I do not know where this tree has been in its journey here on earth nor what it has seen, but I do know since it has lived long and pretty much unsheltered from the winds, it has withstood much through its years. This poem about this tree says to me, when our years have been long and spent, and our physical strength is no longer there, God is still speaking, still providing experiences, maybe more quieter, perhaps more serene, but He is still speaking His message which speaks volumes to our hearts from those who have lived long with Him, those who have been a pillar of strength in His Name. . . .

. . In Psalm 92, the aging saints are compared to trees, a palm and a cedar. They are both long-lived evergreen trees that flourish in harsh conditions, one in hot climate and the other on windy heights . . . they paint the picture of the spiritual character and the mental caliber of aging Christians. . . .



And he shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended by the streams of water,
ready to bring forth its fruit in its season. Its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and
everything that he does shall prosper and come to maturity). Psalm 1:3

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