As we looked over the property on the hill after the storm we saw no damage from the winds. Even the graceful and tender birches survived the blasts, though we saw two that seem to be having a rough go of it. The most recent winter ice storms have bent them low and now we see their leaves, small and withered. Upon closer inspection, the bark shows cracking up the entire length of the trunk. Birches are resilient in so many ways, able to bend to the ground, often without breaking, and then return to their upright position again. In studying them I see a wonderful lesson.
On the way to the Hill, we pass by a stand of birches on a nearby neighbors' property that was cleared of many pines and a few hardwoods which had stood between the lithe and graceful, white beauties. These particular birches had grown extremely tall and had most of their leaf-growth at their tops. Through the years since the thinning, these poor birches have lost many of their branches; appearing as though someone had taken clippers and performed a very poor pruning job. Some have toppled over and others have been snapped off by high winds. They had been sheltered by other trees for so many years and had grown extremely tall in their attempt to reach for the sun. Once their support system was taken away, they yielded to the beatings of wind and weather.
The birch stand on Darling Hill had started out in a clear field. Their thick trunks are solid and roots are well grounded. These did not grow nearly as tall because they have had ample sun throughout their entire lives. The branches begin only eight or ten feet up from the ground and are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the heavy snows that are oft put upon them. Only the thick coatings of ice that adhere to them one or two times a winter will lay certain long branches and an occasional leaning tree right down to the ground. These thirty weathered pioneers have had little support from others around them. They've been through the winds and storms with only the help of the sun and rain to feed and nurture them along.
What a picture of resilience! It reminds me of a passage from Galatians chapter 6. Verse 2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Verse 4 goes on to say, "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man must bear his own burden." This is not a contradiction at all. We must each bear our own burden; depending upon the Son and His Word for our nurture and strength. There are times when we do need the support of others; or times when we ourselves need to lend our support to others. Neither we nor they should depend solely upon the support of other people though. We are put through trials for a reason. When we stand alone, with only the Lord, these trials serve to "prove" us and ready us for others that may still be to come. Romans 5: 3-5 says, "tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Lord, may I stand alone for you; depending upon you, the Son, to shed your light upon me. When you bring the support of another along, use it to point my eyes back up to you. Thank you for the help of loved ones and for the opportunities you give to let me lend a shoulder to another also.
I'm thankful for the picture drawn from the beautiful birches.
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