Trees

"The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade." ~Psalm 121:5

∆ To our delight my parents purchased a set of World Book Encyclopedias from a traveling salesman. We spent hours looking through the pages of those books. We learned about the wonders of our world from the many photos and descriptions in the complete set from A to Z.

A wonder that truly fascinated me was the giant sequoia trees in California. I couldn't imagine a tree massive enough to drive a car through. I told myself, "Someday I want to go see those trees with my own eyes."

MANY years later God allowed that childhood dream to come true. As we entered Sequoia National Forest. I was not disappointed. I felt like a kid in a fantasy world, walking among those giants, touching the spongy bark and straining to see the tops. I could have stayed there all day.

For as long as I can remember I've had a love of trees. I'm not exactly sure why. But I think it's the majesty of them. I love the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves and the beauty that they add to landscapes. But I think what I enjoy most about trees is the protection they provide from the heat of the summer sun. Don't get me wrong, I love summer and being warm, but I'm a shade seeker. Always have been. I don't like to have the sun beating down on me. I'm not one to lie on the beach for hours on end. Twenty minutes and I'm good, ready to find some shade.

God is our protection and He enjoys doing that for his children without us even knowing all that we are being protected from. Sometimes it's a direct answer to prayer. Sometimes we are protected without even asking.

He is our father and he knows the plans he has for us. He protects us from evils and danger that are not a part of that plan.

He is our shade protecting us, because he loves us.