IN THE SHELTER OF A TREE
Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches." Luke 13:18-19
My favorite place as a child was in the top of a very old tree. I was about five or six years old (back when your parents didn’t have to worry too much about your whereabouts), when I’d go to the back of my grandparents property and climb as high as I could get before the branches began to bend under my weight. The low-lying limbs were very thick and close enough together for my then short legs to clamber up. I would climb so high that I could see over other trees into the horse pasture behind us and beyond, and would sit for hours daydreaming. I can still remember the smell of the surrounding pines and the sound of birds, frogs and crickets, singing symphonies solely for my enjoyment. In that tree, the world stood still so that I could appreciate its beauty. Although I didn’t know “the” God on a personal level yet; in that tree was where 
He first introduced Himself to me. I imagined that there had to be someone who had thought up such wonderful sights, smells and sounds and would even talk to this unknown Person telling Him how beautiful everything was. I felt that the whole world had been created for me to appreciate it. I first learned to pray in that tree even though I had not been churched or taught who God was or that there even was a God. And though I had never read a Bible or specifically heard anyone out loud, I felt that He had spoken back to me. I would never forget those words and later found that they had been spoken long ago and written down for all creation to discover for themselves; words that I had cherished from childhood and carried into adulthood as my very own. When I learned who God was, I understood what He had done to bring me into relationship with Him. Those trees, in the woods behind my grandparent’s house, became witnesses that testified of an Awesome God drawing a small, insignificant and lonely child into an eternal, Paternal relationship with her Creator. God had involved Himself with me. Every chance I got I would run out through the woods and climb as high as I could get to experience what I experienced at that first ascent. I expected what had happened to me the first time, to happen every time, and I was not disappointed. A tiny seed, planted into the imagination and heart of this child became a tree of knowledge that lead me on a journey to know my Father, God.
He first introduced Himself to me. I imagined that there had to be someone who had thought up such wonderful sights, smells and sounds and would even talk to this unknown Person telling Him how beautiful everything was. I felt that the whole world had been created for me to appreciate it. I first learned to pray in that tree even though I had not been churched or taught who God was or that there even was a God. And though I had never read a Bible or specifically heard anyone out loud, I felt that He had spoken back to me. I would never forget those words and later found that they had been spoken long ago and written down for all creation to discover for themselves; words that I had cherished from childhood and carried into adulthood as my very own. When I learned who God was, I understood what He had done to bring me into relationship with Him. Those trees, in the woods behind my grandparent’s house, became witnesses that testified of an Awesome God drawing a small, insignificant and lonely child into an eternal, Paternal relationship with her Creator. God had involved Himself with me. Every chance I got I would run out through the woods and climb as high as I could get to experience what I experienced at that first ascent. I expected what had happened to me the first time, to happen every time, and I was not disappointed. A tiny seed, planted into the imagination and heart of this child became a tree of knowledge that lead me on a journey to know my Father, God.
The next time you find yourself out in the woods, imagine yourself in the very top of one of those trees, as close to God as you can possibly get. Pay attention to the sounds of creation singing of the Creator and the aroma of His presence in your surroundings.
Appreciate what He has done to get your attention and tell Him how grateful you are.
He will answer you with secrets He’s long waited to share with you.
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