STRONG AS A TREE! 6/19/11

Repeat from June 2009 with a little updating.....

TODAY is Fathers Day! Fathers Day began 101 years ago on June 19, 1910, by a daughter who was raised by her father in Spokane, Washington. It wasn’t until l926 that a national committee was formed in New York City and then in 1956 that it was recognized by a joint resolution of Congress. In 1972, President Nixon signed the proclamation for a national observance of Fathers Day. Then Fathers Day was held yearly on the third Sunday in June. One more interesting fact; June 19th is my husband Jim’s birthday; his 75th to be exact.

IF YOU COULD characterize your Father as a tree, what tree would it be? I have never really thought of this before, but I think I would see my Father as ‘the Tree of Life’! Not because it was a tree in the Garden of Eden and good to eat, or because it needed to be guarded after Adam and Eve sinned, but because my father gave life to 14 children!

I ASKED JIM this question and he said; The young Oak! His Father was hard headed and a visionary who brought his family out of Louisiana to California, where he could provide for them and they could prosper. I asked Jennifer this question about her Father and she said; “A Fir?” Well, if she is meaning a Christmas Tree, I would agree, because he certainly lights up our lives.

THE PERSONA of a strong tree always reminds me of the persona that a father should have. Head and shoulders in stature and soft and gentle swaying in the breeze. I think there was book written about Paul, called; “Hands of Velvet, Hands of Steel”! Don’t you agree this title fits the persona of a Father? Being firm yet a gentle peacemaker!

“I THINK THAT I SHALL NEVER SEE a poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed against the sweet earth’s flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.” Trees by Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918. A poem you seldom ever hear, written by a man called Joyce. His name and style revealed his strength and his softer side. A poem and a song that at one point in time, thrilled the souls of all who heard it.

I HAVE ALWAYS been fascinated by tree’s! In my blessed singleness years, my two sisters and I visited Muir Woods just outside of San Francisco. Huge trees that seem to form a canape overhead. Some of these trees had 6 ft cavities carved out of them. Our guide asked me to stand inside of one of these burned out hollow spaces. I did! Then he explained that the Indians who inhabited this area would provide these places for the maidens to stand when they were ready for a mate. Needless to say, I moved very quickly from the inside of that hollowed out tree.

JIM AND I have driven through the redwoods and have stopped and admired their majesty. I have pondered the rows of trees in Santa Barbara, California that show massive roots all exposed to the elements. We have driven through rural areas in Virginia that showed so many variations of the color green and the different varieties of trees along the roadside. Our #3 grandson, Jordan would refer to the scrub oak as “the ugly trees.”

“A FATHER who plants himself by the waters of the Lord will be nourished and will grow strong like a tree.” Psalms “His offsprings will rise up and bring glory to his name. His grandchildren are his crown.” Proverbs “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians With the Lord, all things are possible! My father felt he was a failure and perhaps in some ways he was. We shouldn’t be confused when it comes to our failures and successes. His legacy was in 14 children who knew the Lord. He died when I was 15 years old. Not really old enough to know him but I honor him; he was my father. By JA Crenshaw 6/16/11