The Tree Of Life
by JJ Oakley I was climbing a vast tree and gazing around, I could see my life. All that I had done was stretched out before me in all directions. There were some places below me in the beginnings that were beautiful, as the flowers the Lord had created. This was the area that was the youth of my life.
The tree started to branch out in many directions, and in each one I saw different areas where the branches were colorful, and even bearing fruit. As I climbed higher the branches changed; many void of leaves, and some even seemed grew large thorns.
Trying to work my way back from a thorny branch was so difficult, the scratches were deep and the thorns seemed, at times; To pierce my very soul. I would stop and cry out 'Oh Lord help me to go on.' Then I would finally reach another branch, and terry there trying to decide which direction, or fork to take.
I knew, that I must keep climbing because this was my tree of life, and that we all must climb our own trees of life. At times I would pause, knowing that if I picked the wrong branch that I would pay a severe toll trying to get back, or that I may fall and never get back. Sometimes I knew the right direction to go, but because of a stubbornness, or for the sense of adventure, try the other way.
There were a few times that I almost did not make it back, and when I did was so thankful that I would promise myself, and the Lord that I would never go astray again. For a time I would climb freely and the branches would begin to show that wonderful foliage that I had remembered. All the world around was clear, with the fresh newness as the spring of my youth on the lower branches.
Sometimes even when I was on the right limb a great storm would appear as if out of nowhere, and all would fall black, and cold. I would grab onto the limb and hold on with all my might while the leaves and fruit blew away, leaving only a bare branch in which to cling. Laying there after the storm wondering why, when I was doing everything right, that I would be thrown into a bleak wasteland. I would just feel like dropping off and falling away confused and bewildered. I just could not understand the why of it all. I thought even the Lord had turned his back on me.
Instead of falling off; I would remember the promise that was made, and that if I over came; At the end of the storm there would be a golden sky breaking through the darkness, and the blooming of life a new. So as a child looking out at a tower with red lights in the night knowing that Santa Clause was there; I would inch my way across the bare branch and continue my climb.
I am slowly arising higher. Now I can look back down at the many branches that are beneath me. Each one represents a memory, and learning experiences of a life lived. Have I learned? Will I reach the top branches so that I may reach out and grab that golden apple? I hope so. I will keep climbing and making branches to my tree of life, and as I gain the top limb I hope that I will find you there at the top of your tree with me. |
