I am quite fond of trees. I suppose you know that already because I mentioned it in this post.

We have four trees in our yard — which is entirely too few trees in my opinion — but at least enough to attract a few robins in the springtime.

Oh, please come back soon, little robins!

Last summer our next-door neighbors planted this little evergreen tree.

 

I don’t know how the neighbors feel about it, but their tree brings me great joy each day when I stare at it through the window at my kitchen sink. 

How can a tree can be alive and green and growing despite bitter winter weather?

That’s a hardy tree.

Interestingly, Jeremiah 17:7-8 says people who trust in God are like hardy trees, too. It says,

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Four years ago in my Christmas letter, I said that said rather than growing like weeds, I want my kids to grow like those hardy trees in Jeremiah 17:7-8. I want them to be rooted and established in the love of Christ so they don’t get blown over by a storm or wither in a drought.

How do you grow strong enough to endure hardship?

Trees need water and sunshine and nourishment; likewise, growing souls need living water, light from the Son, prayer and lots of nourishment and encouragement from God’s Word.

What kind of tree am I?

What have I been trusting in lately? 

Am I helping my children to trust in God?

How can I help root my children in love?

Am I serving up nourishment and encouragement when I speak to my kids? 

Or I am just speaking in logistics? “Go here. Eat this. Put that away. Change that. Finish this.”

What does God want these children to be?

Will they be able to withstand the trials of heat and drought?

Will I notice when they bear fruit?

Will one be like an orange tree and the other more like an oak?

Okay, those were some deep questions. And we may never figure out all of the answers this side of heaven, but I had to share them anyway.

On a lighter note, Laurel has been dancing to this fun “Tree Song” by Ken Medema in her creative movement dance class. It’s so catchy. Listen and I think you’ll see why we like it so much.