As the pandemic has worn on and its impact on my life seems to grow daily, my feelings of insecurity have lead to anxiety about what to think or do. But like a lot of people, I’ve been spending more time outdoors, walking around my neighborhood where I’ve found a new appreciation for the many old, majestic, live oak trees. As I have contemplated these stately trees, I’ve thought about their nature, their way of being. They are silent, strong, breathing, life-giving. They host many other plants, like resurrection fern, which curls up and looks dead until the next rain when they emerge green and resilient, alive, back from the dead. These trees and ferns inspire me; they give me hope for the future. They remind me that living things endure, they persevere through the droughts and storms and constantly changing conditions in the world. There is untold strength in these silent, majestic living beings. They remind me that my life is not about me. As Paul said, “Your life is hidden with Christ in God. He is your life.” So each day as I gaze up into the fern-covered branches of these ancient live oaks, I experience calmness, God’s love, and hope in the future.
Peace and calm,
Doug
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