NAKED DEFIANCE!
Not long after we moved to Oregon we discovered several roadside picnic areas along the Rogue River. In these spots the river was narrow and curvy cascading downwards towards the estuaries that eventually would flow into the ocean. Although there were several of the picnic areas we had our favorite. It had only a few tables and a place to park your vehicle. That part of the wayside wasn’t spectacular but getting beyond the brush and the trees there was the river and ‘Naked Defiance’.

Naked Defiance sat at the bend in the river! On stormy days when the rains would come and the river would rise, the water would submerge the lower half of Naked Defiance until eventually through the years it washed all the dirt away and left the rugged roots exposed on this massive, massive tree.

This tree was our main attraction!. Oh it was fun watching the water racing down and out of sight around the bend; listening to the birds and wishing we could get in the water. However, it was too swift! Through the years the water had washed out a small beach and we would lay on our blankets and watch the kids playing close to the shore. No wading, nor getting to far out to get caught in the swift undercurrents. All by ourselves being one with nature.

For years I wanted Jim to paint me a picture of Naked Defiance as he stood there tall and stately. It fascinated me to see so much of it exposed to the elements and wondered why it just didn’t topple over. The picture of this tree is in our memory, the photo’s are hidden in albums.

Years went by and one day we decided to go and visit our old friend by the river. Obviously, a restoration project had been underway while we were just living our lives. The ground had been reinforced and built up around the stately old tree. The beach was gone and the water was rapidly moving along, paying no attention, that the curve in the bend of the river had been returned to it’s natural state. You couldn’t just walk out to the water anymore but stood on a small knoll overlooking the rushing waters, while standing under the branches of the tree.

We still call him ‘Naked Defiance’ even though I guess you could now call him, ‘God’s Masterpiece’, as he stands there by the waters fully dressed. Fully strengthened by the soil that surrounded it and the waters that had been giving it nourishment since the beginning.

I know many of you have seen such trees or some similar in our grand country. I know that you have stories to tell of your experience wondering about God’s creation. I know we always stand amazed as we see the scriptures come to life many times over.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out it’s roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for it’s leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

As you travel on Hwy 62 in Southern Oregon just past a little town called Prospect, you find yourself driving through; "The Cathedral of Trees". Massive, defiant and full of majesty! Trees that stretch towards and fill the sky with its branches. Oh to be like these huge trees covering the expanse above. Oh to be like Naked Defiance standing by the water, being strong and faithful with branches held out towards the sun, soaking in all of God’s goodness. Oh to be like a tree being defiant to all of the elements knowing that God’s provision is always constant like rushing water. Oh to be like a tree firmly planted in God’s loving care. Jane Ann