Spring – Summer
“The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.”
Psalms 1:1-3 CEB
https://bible.com/bible/37/psa.1.1-3.CEB
“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”
Psalm 1:4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.1.4.ESV
We are told; “Trees are mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, serving as vital symbols of life, wisdom, righteousness, and God’s presence, appearing from Genesis to Revelation.”
Here in No Va early Spring has arrived and I have been watching my ‘Japanese Maple Tree’ that is right outside my front door. I love this tree in all seasons but I seem to appreciate it a little more when it dresses in its Spring-Summer attire.
Have you ever tried seeing yourself as a tree that shows its dress attire and actions as recorded in Psalms 1? Let’s have a Tree conversation!
thedailylily.com 
As I looked at these beautiful photos of this Japanese Maple tree during its different seasons as the captions indicated, and read what Sara wrote from Psalm 1: “persons love the LORD’s Instruction”; I thought of one of Sara’s retreat books, “Design of One’s Heart – The Four Seasons – Hearts Are Seasonal Much Like the Four Seasons”.
We have just emerged from winter and as Sara said, “Here in No Va early Spring has arrived “. In the chapter “Winter Season”, the scripture was, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. “ Psalm 51:10, and the chapter symbol is ‘Love’.
In this season in the book, we find some purposes for trees and Sara tells us of the significance of a particular tree. “That dove had found the olive tree. Yes, we stand in the Garden of Gethsemane where the fruit of the olive tree has been pressed out, producing oil for our use. A Winter scene; agony of the soul. Friends going to sleep when they should be praying, family members betraying us that could cost us our life. The cost, a tree dying in this Winter scene. And the wood was used to make the cross, a sacrifice for us all. Noah built an ark but Jesus, a cross.”
That tree did just what Sara wrote about as I think on it and look at it…”serving as vital symbols of life, wisdom, righteousness, and God’s presence, appearing from Genesis to Revelation.”
Sara asks, “Have you ever tried seeing yourself as a tree that shows its dress attire and actions as recorded in Psalms 1?”
I would like to think of it in this way in light of the ‘tree’ that Jesus died on: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:3. It makes me think of a chorus, “We Have Come Into His House”, and the verse which says, “He is all my righteousness I stand complete in Him and worship Him,”
Thanks Debi for these wonderful markers that causes me to pause and think on these wonderful things. They just happen today to make me sing, “The Old Rugged Cross made the Difference…”
The footnotes for Psalm 1:1 (NLT) says: “ God doesn’t judge people on the basis of race, sex, or national origin. He judges them on the basis of their faith in him, and their response to his revealed will. Those who diligently try to obey. God‘s will are blessed. They are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees planted along a riverbank with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:7,8), and God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. Only two paths of life lay before us— God’s way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God’s path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.”🙏
These footnotes will awaken one that might be on a spiritual roller coaster ride; to start; “ God doesn’t judge people on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.”
”Have you ever tried seeing yourself as a tree that shows its dress attire and actions as recorded in Psalm 1? Let’s have a tree conversation!” If I remember the comment correctly, I heard someone say one time when trees were mentioned. Look how trees grow up toward heaven, and they sway in the wind, like they are praising the Lord! If I try to see myself as a tree, I want to be swaying in the wind, growing toward heaven, praising Him. 🙌🙏✝️
Tammy, I have a favorite tree and many other trees running a close second and on and on! I do love trees.
I must admit my favorite is; The Magnolia Tree…”it’s flower embodies spiritual meanings of endurance, purity, nobility, and the strength of the human spirit. With roots dating back 100 million years, it symbolizes resilience and longevity. Magnolia blooms represent self-esteem, dignity, and a profound connection to nature.” Plus those shining waxed green leaves seem to glisten day and night. And, the fragrance lingers in the nostrils soothing my soul.
I think the Weeping Willow is my 1st close second!
This was a joyful question and joy to respond!
Magnola trees do have beautiful leaves and flowers.🌳
I perceive myself as a tree with dual purposes that create a unified front and voice.
Leaves provide shade, fruit offers health benefits, and blossoms enhance beauty. All these functions are performed by a single tree, yet it remains united with others in perfect harmony. The words from Psalm 1 and the footnotes provide guidance on its purpose.
I have to mention here, while we are talking about trees. Does anyone have a favorite tree? I think the weeping willow tree is so beautiful.🥰
Tammy, my favorite tree is a white oak. They are such multi-functional trees. They support a huge amount of wildlife, insects and good fungi. Their wood is so strong that fishing piers and mine timbers are made from it. They can live to be 300 or more years old; have sprawling branches and provide lovely shade. Their acorns are nutritious for wildlife and humans alike. Native Americans ground them into flour. The list of their benefits goes on and on. The Bible says we should be like them: Isaiah 61:3: “…that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.”
Debi, you have shared some interesting things here about the white oak tree! I think I have learned at some point in life that to know the age of a tree you count the lines on the wood when the tree has been cut into? 🤔
“I think I have learned at some point in life that to know the age of a tree you count the lines on the wood when the tree has been cut into? “
Yes, Tammy, you are correct! You may have learned also that the distance/space between rings can provide us with info on environmental conditions for certain years where the tree lived. If there is a wide distance, then it may have been a year of abundant rain and good growing conditions. A narrow distance would indicate some type of stress or drought. A dark ring usually says there was a forest fire that the tree survived. So, yes, Sara is so right…”A TREE has a voice;”
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BQUPPVPjA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This is a very interesting story about trees. Is it true? If those of us who desire to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ do we find this in our lives if we are liken to a tree properly planted….