"You can always plant another one."

Today I lamented with a woman I know that I was going home to begin to cut down a beloved tree which died after it bloomed this spring. 

Not able to understand the deep feelings I was sharing with her, she told me to "just plant another one".

How can I explain that this 17 years of growth in our yard meant more than just a tree to me.

It is part of my legacy. It ties me to my dear father, to my precious mother, to my childhood home of hills and the beautiful Red Buds growing all down those hills.  Every spring they were in beautiful bloom, then changing to heart shaped leaves until autumn, and in the winter the architecture of a Red Bud was always amazing. 

Red Bud trees are so beautiful even without foliage.

Every home in which we have lived we have planted Red Bud trees. They have tied me, anchored me to memories, to sweetness, to creation, to my gracious God.  Seventeen years ago the Red Bud was the first tree we planted here. It symbolized in me a stability some how. Our world had caved in, blown up, seemingly destroying everything, but "us".

We could not look out front without seeing it every season. Every year growing taller and more full, birds of every kind stopping by, squirrels up and down, 3 kinds of feeders, beautiful flowers circling it, birdbaths, garden paths, and the cool shade it gave to our front walk and porch has always been cherished.

Oh, it is just a tree. 

I remember all the times I looked out from upstairs over its beautiful branches spending time with the LORD. So many prayers, so many cries to Him, so many times, and He always comforted me, held me. I am His, I am His child, and He cares for me.

Psalm 72:12-14
"For He will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.

He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy He will save.

He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in His sight"

A dear woman of God years ago lamented with me over a beautiful tree in her backyard which had recently died. I knew which one as I had seen it before.  It was a beautiful, huge Magnolia. How lovely it had been for so many years. Her marriage had begun with it, all her beloved children had played and grown under it, and eventually, played in it. She had loved this tree through a difficult marriage, all those children, and then when her beloved husband turned to the LORD for his salvation, she had 24 more loving years with him as a new creation. She had so many memories involving that special tree and now it had to be cut down. I had grieved with her then, and I do so again. I understand. It was more than just a tree.

Yes, I will transplant a baby Red Bud from one of my gardens. It may or may not survive. I may or may not be here to watch it grow. I have another Red Bud in the backyard which survived its transplanting a few years back. It is now as tall as I am, surviving rabbits, droughts, and winters, but never blooming. 

I have the LORD no matter if I have a Red Bud tree in the front yard or not. 

He is my Solid Rock, He is my All in All.

He hears my cries, and holds my tears.

Psalm 56 
"Be gracious to me, O God, 
for man has trampled upon me;

Fighting all day long he oppresses me.


My foes have trampled upon me all day long,

For they are many who fight proudly against me.


When I am afraid,

I will put my trust in You.


In God, whose word I praise,

In God I have put my trust;

I shall not be afraid.


What can mere man do to me?


All day long they distort my words;

All their thoughts are against me for evil.


They attack, 
they lurk,

They watch my steps,

As they have waited to take my life.


Because of wickedness, cast them forth,

In anger put down the peoples, O God!

You have taken account of my wanderings;

Put my tears in Your bottle.


Are they not in Your book?


Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;

This I know, that God is for me.


In God, whose word I praise,

In the Lord, whose word I praise,

In God I have put my trust, 
I shall not be afraid.


What can man do to me?


Your vows are binding upon me, O God;

I will render thank offerings to You.


For You have delivered my soul from death,

Indeed my feet from stumbling,

So that I may walk before God

In the light of the living.
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Glory to God on High!