Friday, September 27, 2019

Three Trees


I have worked at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers for six and half years. It is a ministry for me. I love my work there. I no longer work services. I help with obituaries, answer the phone and do the After-Care Interview. 

Sometimes I am called to work when we are short help and today was one of those days. I worked the door greeting people as they came in for the service. 

Over the years I have watched these three trees grow. Today they were beautiful with a lush green color. I look at those trees and don’t just see trees. It is then while I am standing alone waiting for someone to arrive so that I may open the door - I take time to pray. Often, I think of the number “3”. Three as in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Today as I was praying for the family a zephyr wind stirred through the trees. It was as if the Holy Spirit blew over our building to bring comfort to the family. Was it God’s breath? Did it represent Him breathing eternal life as He welcomed a new person in Paradise? 

There are days that I see the three trees and think of the three crosses on Golgotha? The tree in the forefront of this picture is taller and looks so much sturdier. Then I think of Jesus and the pain he endured on the cross. There are other times I think about how grateful that God has allowed to be grafted into His family. There have been days I would think of the Tree of Life which was planted in the Garden of Eden. 

As the seasons change the leaves will change colors and fall off of the tree. But these trees have deep roots and are maintained with food and water. When Spring comes around there will be new leaves. 

These trees remind my that my life will one day end. I know because of God’s amazing grace and my belief in Jesus Christ I will see the Tree of Life according to Revelation 2:7 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

 Jesus paid the price on one of those trees, crucified, and raised so that we might be able to live eternally with Him. There are many references in the Bible to trees. 

This time working the door today as I witnessed the leaves gently moving, I realized that God’s presence was at that service to comfort the family. Imagine the peace of having the Holy Spirit surrounding us! Those three trees make me grateful that there is God who loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

They are not just trees to me - they tell me about God the creator of every good and perfect gift.