Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Rest awhile

the passage of dreams

There was this huge old tree that sat along the edge of a creek that ran though my granparents farm.. I would climb up and sit on one of its branches, when I was down or just wanted to be alone.. it was my thinking tree.. that is what I called it anyway.. I even carved my name on one of its branches..

I used to tell my children when they were out of sorts to go find a tree and sit by it for awhile.. and if need be.. tell that tree your most deepest secrets..and by doing so they might feel a little more refreshed afterwards.. I would tell them about my thinking tree.. and how it helped me gain inner strength and peace..when my world seemed so dark..
of course they thought I was a wee bit crazy.. for how could a tree give inner strength or peace to ones soul..

One summer not long after my divorce from their father, I was able to bring my children to my granparents farm.. it had been years sense anyone lived there.. the house was still standing.. but no longer liveable..as the mice and spiders had taken over..
We parked the camp trailer close to the house and I showed them around the farm.. They wanted to see this famous thinking tree that I had so often spoke of.. but we couldn't find it..

We spent about a week there, fishing and swiming..and just enjoying the peace of being there.. away from the stress we all had endured the past few months..the children loved the creek and were getting pretty good at diving off an old tree that had fallen across the creek..It was nice to hear their laughter as they would jump off this old tree into the water.. it was what they needed to take their minds off what had happend between their father an me..

It was the last day of our visit to the farm.. it was hot.. and I was sitting on this tree dangling my feet in the water watching them swim.. my oldest son swam up to me grabbed my foot and into the water I went..as I came up I noticed writting on the underside of the tree.. it was my name.. this was my tree.. tears started to fill my eyes.. my son thought that I had gotten hurt when he pulled me into the water.. all I could do was point to the writting..

This old wonderful tree that had given me such pleasure in the summer months I had spent on the farm, so many years ago.. had now also given my children..a time of happiness when their world seemed so dark..

God is a lot like a tree.. silent and strong.. giving peace and solitude to a soul in need..




Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile.
Weary, I know it, of the press and throng.
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil.
and in my quiet strength again be strong.

Come ye aside from all the world holds dear.
For converse which the world has never known.
Alone with Me, and with My Father here.
With Me and with my Father alone.

Come tell Me all that ye have said and done.
Your victories and failures. hopes and fears.
I know how hardly souls are wooed and won.
My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.

Come ye and rest , the journey is too great
And ye will faint besides the way and sink
The bread of life is here for you to eat.
And here for you the wine of love to drink.

Then fresh from converse with your Lord return
And work till daylight softens into evenning
The breif hours are not lost in which ye learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heaven
auther unknown


Essence of Hope©.2006 all rights reserved

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:29 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your blog this morning. I was just going through blogs and it was nice to read one I could relate to. Thank you for your uplifting words.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:46 PM

    This was simply beautiful, Hope;
    the conclusion of your story was a wonderful surprise!
    I am so happy you were able enjoy that extraordinary day with your children. There was a small miracle that day, wasn't there?

    By the way, did you know that some say that a coincidence is a small miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous..?

    Thank you for sharing that little miracle with us!

    Love,

    Marge

    ReplyDelete

I delight in reading your comments, the warmth you leave me with and the smiles to great each day.. thank you.. soft hugs always Hope