What's With the Tree?
After four years of having a single page on our mission website, I can finally return to having my own website. While I’m excited about the prospect, I realize how much work it is, and I can’t say I’m particularly looking forward to the building and transferring process. But I’m excited to have my own site again.
As I looked over templates and considered color palettes, I realized I wanted to update my logo. I’ve been happy with the shield logo and the catchphrase “Helping Worriers Become Warriors.” That is something I still like. I still believe that is part of my writing and speaking mission. But, in this new stage of life, I was ready for something different. So, I settled on a tree, its branches sprouting books rather than leaves.
As a writer, the book’s inclusion is obvious, but some of you may wonder, What’s with the tree? Over the past few years, I’ve been fascinated with the symbolism of a tree. Here in Wales, the Celtic “tree of life” is prominent in clothing, jewelry, knick-knacks, and so much more. There is also a tree here called “The Lone Tree,” which is one of the most photographed trees of all time. I have a tree with varied colors of flowers hanging on my living room wall, and three wooden plaques with the words faith, hope, and love intertwined with a tree adorn the mantel above the fireplace.
I think part of my obsession with trees began while watching a Christmas special of Signed, Sealed, Delivered. As the main character contemplated a small tree hanging tightly to a rock amid rugged terrain, a supporting character asked him to consider that maybe it was the other way around—the rock was clinging to the tree. Goosebumps!!!
Ever since then, I’ve considered the many occurrences of trees in the Bible. In fact, I hope to do a study (and maybe even a book) on it sometime. Of course, the most famous tree is the ultimate tree of life—Calvary’s cross. But there are so many more exciting stories in the Scriptures revolving around a tree and also many great life lessons. Here are two of my favorite passages:
“For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. ”
— Jeremiah 17:8
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ”
— Psalm 1:3
When I read these verses, my mind conjures up the image of a tree standing by the water. It is strong. It is fruitful. It is vibrant. Its roots run wide and deep, digging into the soil and stretching out to find water and nourishment. I want to be like that tree. Strong in the Lord. Unshaken by the winds of life. My roots dug deep into the power of God and the peace of His constant hold on me. I long for my life to bring forth fruit and for my work for God to prosper. This is my prayer!
So, when I chose the tree as my logo, I was choosing something that would serve as a reminder of what my ministry is all about. It ensures I don’t forget He is holding onto me, not the other way around. It reminds me I can do nothing without Him, and if I want to make a difference in this life for God, I must rely on Him every hour of every day.
All that from a tree? Yup, all that (and more) from a tree. That’s how God works, you know? He often packs powerful lessons in the simplest and most ordinary of packages. That’s why we should never despise the day of “small things.” (Zechariah 4:10)