God's Tree

Many years ago, I attended a certification course in Colorado, which was held at a retreat center. As part of our training we had to spend one day in silence… from the time we went to bed until 3 pm the following day; about 15 hours. During the time of silence, we were not allowed to utter a word… not even a ‘good morning’ to the other participants. It sounds easy, but it was truly difficult.

During the silence we were to walk the grounds, reflect, or sit in prayer or contemplation… anything as long as we did not speak.  Also as part of the assignment, we were required to write something about our experience. I kept trying to come up with some kind of ‘aha’ and try as I might, I kept drawing a blank. Until just before we came together to break the silence, that is. As I wandered the grounds looking at the magnificent evergreens, it struck me why we use the type of tree that we do for a Christmas tree. I am certainly not a poet, but the following is what I wrote.

GOD’S TREE

by Janelle Breese-Biagioni

If I could be a tree...

which would I choose to be?

Would it be the mighty oak?

Strong, full of presence, capable of any task

Shedding autumn leaves, renewing in spring

Casting shade and shelter only to risk being split by unprovoked lightening

I think not.

Should I be a flowering shrub?

Petite, fragrant and full of colour

One who decorates and is adorned

My survival at the mercy of the caretaker’s hand

I think not.

Perhaps, I should be a monkey tree?

Needly branches curving upwards

like the spider monkey’s tail

Curious in design, a constant challenge for those who dare to climb

I think not.

What about the willow?

Bending softly, weeping eternally

Dancing leaves, sweeping the grass

Beautiful to see, fragile in essence

Scattered roots tangled in a mesh

I think not.

There is the ponderosa pine?

Tall, think, covering great distances

Dropping needles and pine cones to hide the ground

Unbalanced, bare on one side, not easy to climb

or worse, dead at the base before anyone reaches the top

I think not.

I think I shall be the evergreen spruce

Rich in colour, steady, never changing

Sometimes alone, sometimes in threes

Shining lights on Christ’s birthday

My base shall be full

extending to support those in need.

My branches shall rise,

spiraling from one level to the next

Circling, circling, reaching the top

creating a cradle for the Christmas Angel

Turning, spinning into one perfect branch

Uplifting, lifting, reaching for God.