The Shelter

Jeremiah 17:7-8 – But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (NIV)

One of the things I'm looking forward to doing this summer is taking time to sit under a big tree, and listen to the sounds of summer. I'll listen to the soft swish and rustle of the leaves, as a gentle whisper of wind directs their motion to create a tree song. Perhaps I'll hear the sound of a bee, its droning buzz definitely off-key in this tree symphony, as it flits from flower to flower, gathering its nectar. If I'm very fortunate, I'll sit under a tree near a brook, so that I can hear its gurgle as it ripples over the rocks, and makes its way through the moss-covered forest.

My stay under the tree will remind me of times in the past when I have taken shelter under its spreading branches: shelter from the heat of the day, and shelter from a pending storm. But my experience from past visits under trees makes me believe I'll also marvel at the power and beauty of God's creation.

This summer, I hope that we all find a moment to sit under the welcoming shade of a tree. It is my hope that, as we rest under its branches, we will find time to speak to the God of creation, and find a moment of renewal from the hustle and bustle of the world around us.

Prayer: Thank you for providing shelter from the heat of the day, the storms of life, and the bustle of our busy lives. God, help us to find a quiet place to focus on you this day. Amen.

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