Walking this morning, I found a fallen tree. The rather large trunk had uprooted and fallen downhill, landing exactly in the crook of two branches of another tree, still standing strong, now holding the weight of the fallen tree. My first thought was, “what are the chances?” The falling tree could have fallen two inches to the left or right, and wouldn’t have landed in this perfect holding spot. A slight change in the direction of the wind could have kept the falling tree from landing as it did. It could have even taken the second tree down with it, had they collided just right. But things happened just right–just perfectly, for the fallen tree to lay in the arms of his neighbor. It looks as though the standing tree is providing comfort for the fallen one….though it also looks like the weight of the fallen tree might be causing a burden upon the standing one.
What are the chances of us taking a fall and landing perfectly into the arms of someone strong? Someone who can support us, even if it hurts them. Even if the load is almost more than they can bear. On the other side…what are the chances that WE might be the one who catches the falling?
That tree received no notice, no time to prepare for the heavy weight that was about to fall on to him. And as it appears to those of us who roam through the woods to observe, the tree has no choice but to bear this burden. It was given no option.
There have been times in my life when a burden was cast upon me that I immediately labeled as “too heavy”– quickly seeking a way out from under the unwanted interruption to my life. And there have been times when I was most definitely the falling tree. I was the one about to hit the ground with a force that would have no doubt broken me, yet that tree appeared out of no where and caught me in its strong branches. There have been a few trees in my life, who were perfectly formed by God to be just what I needed….outstretched branches perfectly placed to catch me as I fell.
I’d like to think that I’m a strong enough person to represent the helping trees–those who catch the ones who fall. But I most definitely often feel like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree….barely strong enough to support one ornament without breaking. But reality is, no matter how strong of a tree we are, we still serve a purpose.
Trees improve our air quality by absorbing pollutants. I think as humans, most of us spend too much time spreading pollutants, rather than absorbing them. Whether it be littering, spewing curse words around innocent ears, or spreading negativity….I think we could all spend a bit more time cleaning up our act. I brought this subject up a few years ago with a class of young students. We were learning a song about nature, with verses about trees, flowers, and water. To expand on the lesson a bit, we got in to a conversation about trees. When sharing with the students that trees absorb “bad stuff” in the air which makes it easier for us to breathe, one rather outspoken boy announced that we should have a tree in our classroom, so that maybe it would absorb the farts. It was one of those “what the heck do I say to that?” moments. I mean, he wasn’t wrong. It would have been a really good thing. A fart tree, he called it, as everyone in the class, including me, laughed until our sides hurt.
I think about that student sometimes, and how I’m sure he has no idea that I still laugh about that day. He was known for saying funny, though sometimes not so appropriate things…so to him, his “fart tree” comment was probably just one of many shady things he said that day. I was probably the only teacher who laughed with him, rather than correcting him for being a tad inappropriate. I hope he remembers that. Maybe he does.
So yes, trees absorb bad things to help us breathe easier. And trees produce things for us. Some simply share their leaves, providing shade for us in the hot summer, and beautiful color for us to enjoy in the fall. Others provide nuts and fruit for many creatures, including humans.
Just like us–trees give, and they take. They absorb.
What do I give? What do I take–absorb, to help others? That was a deep thought for me on this Monday morning as I trudged through the wet leaves on my daily hike. No longer teaching in a dungeon of a classroom with no windows and poor air circulation, I hope I’m more than just a fart tree. But I do hope that I absorb some of the “bad stuff” for those I love. I hope they know that they can share stuff with me, and I’ll absorb it into my core, and not repeat it to anyone but God…Who I’ll say a prayer to, for them. For my friends. For those who I know love me, and would catch me in their branches when my roots get weak, and when I fall.
I hope whatever I give is good. No doubt, if I truly were a tree, I’d be a nut bearer. Being such a nut myself, it just seems appropriate. I hope those theoretically produced nuts are nuggets of hope, laughter, support, more laughter, and love for those I care about. I might not have the strongest branches to catch them when they fall, but I will provide for them the things I can.
I wonder how long the fallen tree I saw this morning will stay right where it is. I wonder how long it will take the supporting tree to get weak and begin to fall itself.
I wonder if anyone I know will need me to be their supporting tree in the near future, and I wonder if I might be the one needing somewhere to fall.
So many things to wonder about, and absolutely NO assurances that events will or will not happen in our lives.
But this much is true. You’re not the only tree in the woods. You’re never alone. You might fall hard one day–hitting the ground, or you might find yourself leaning on someone else for a long, long time. You have a choice to produce good stuff, or keep it all for yourself. You have a choice to absorb things for others, or to refuse to listen. We have something the trees don’t have. A choice. A will. A soul. We possess so much more than the trees, yet they can teach us an abundance.
Take a walk in the woods. Find a tree, and lean on it. Look up at it. Let it absorb some “bad stuff” that you might be going through. Take a deep breath. Say a prayer. Then continue your walk as you thank God for all He’s given you.
Some days you’re going to feel like nothing more than a fart tree. Some days you will have absolutely no idea that you changed someone’s day by just being there, like the strong tree who holds the fallen one in its grasp.
Who knows….you might be someone’s absolute favorite tree in the whole wide world. A world that would never be the same with out you….Without you being exactly where you are right this very moment.
“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”
― Chad Sugg
Kickin' & Screamin' 