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Listen to the Trees | Part II | Oak of Righteousness


Getting to Know the Trees in our current Midwest season, branches stripped bare of their leafy vestments, seems a bit intrusive. They are at their most desolate on the cusp of Spring, having weathered the harsh winds of Winter, and yet remain standing tall with arms outstretched in full exposure. 

Despite their sullen expressions, early Spring is when Trees have their most potential, preparing for their annual resurrection. If you Pay Attention, they might soon show you the first glimpses of life budding out. 

As I write this, I'm facing an open window in my office, staring at my own Window Tree. It's an Oak Tree, and though I claim it as my Window Tree, it's not truly mine. It sits on our neighbor's property. I suppose, even then, it doesn't truly Belong to her. But for now, she's here, gracing us with her steady, constant presence.

For the past several days as I've been preparing to write this series of essays, I've had the intention to go meet the Oak Tree, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it. She looks weathered, worn, vulnerable. She is desperately hanging on to a few dried leaves, on her bottom branches, afraid to Let Go; I can hear them rustling in the breeze that is playing with my window curtains. For now, we will continue to exchange curious glances.

As we enter this Lenten season leading up to the Resurrection, will you join me in stripping away what we were created to Let Go of with the Promise of New Life ahead?  

For me, it has been a season of grief and mourning. I have been stripped down and left barren, exposed, humbled. Perhaps I will let the Oak Tree know that we have this in common when I finally decide to introduce myself; perhaps she will Invite me to bud and bloom alongside her this year.  

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, NIV)

Jesus' opening words in His Sermon on the Mount. 

One of my favorite parts about reading my NIV Study Bible is playing Hide and Seek with God using Cross References, or Biblical Hyperlinks. He points me right where I need to go.

Mourning: the expression of deep sorrow. I've spent the last month in it, and yet I can feel life's potential coursing through my barren branches when I am led to the Prophet Isaiah's words: 

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim Freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - 

To bestow on them a Crown of Beauty instead of Ashes, the oil of joy instead of Mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

I was drawn to a documentary called The Trees about the highly intentional and artistic landscaping design at the World Trade Center Memorial Plaza. Landscape architect Peter Walker chose Swamp White Oaks to represent the focus of the design theme: the cycle of life, growth, and constant Renewal. 

These city-tough, strong and mighty oaks were planted as Living Memorials for the September 11th victims. When Tragedy calls people to do something, there is a certain hope attached to Living Memorials verses Stone Memorials. Living Memorials include elements of the natural world and allow Time to Change it and Grow it.  With this Perspective, Trees tell us as much about the future as they do about the past. 

Past, Present and Future amalgamated in the form of a Tree.  

Oak Trees are known for their Resilience. Sturdy, endurant and tightly anchored to the earth with a strong Root system, some Oaks still alive today are centuries old. They have weathered the storms and seasons of ages and, naturally, (pardon mon Français) they have seen some shit. 

And yet they stand, so noble, regal, dignified and unapologetic for the space that their growth takes up.

At their peak, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza Oak Trees are Providers and Shelterers, a natural Refuge for New York's city-bound birds and animals. They keep secret the whispered prayers and lamentations of those visiting the site to Remember the lost. 

There is another Oak Tree that Scripture speaks of: Allen Bakuth, or, The Oak of Weeping. Just one brief mention of this event in Genesis 35:8, this Oak Tree also served as a Memorial; a grave site for Rebekah's Beloved nurse, Deborah. 

So what to Oak Trees have to do with Righteousness? 

Let's go back to Jesus' words: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be Comforted. 

Isaiah's Prophetic words echoed this when it was proclaimed that the Spirit of the Lord will "...comfort all who mourn...[bestow] the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness." 

Do you See it? God Restores Weeping and Sorrow to Righteousness and Joy, even in the Trees. And how much more Valuable are you? Jesus offers us Righteousness. He Restores, Renews, Resurrects.  

As we grieve and mourn our humanity, let us be Reminded by the Trees that no matter how stripped and barren, a Prophetic Promise of Life awaits in the next Season.   

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