Is this a tree, or what?
We rescued this little maple tree from the lawn mower, when it was just a few inches tall. That was in the Spring, and it had some healthy leaves on it, living in a pot inside the house. Then when Fall came, those leaves dropped off just the same as if it had been outside. We watched the two bare sticks, the future trunks, wondering if they were dead or just behaving like a normal outside tree. And then – a new leaf appeared, well before the mother tree outside had sprouted from the little buds on the branches.
This makes me think of images of death and re-birth; such as Good Friday and Easter, or hibernating bears, or a lake freezing over and melting in the Spring. As we observe the destruction of our country as we knew it, we need to hold on to hope that there will come a resurrection.
What will our part be in the rebuilding of society? I think it’s important to think ahead and prepare ourselves to be builders of hope and restoration. There will be people who need healing, in fact most of us will need some kind of healing. So let’s be learning how to support our neighbors now, and in the future.
Thoughts for contemplation
Look at the dead leaf. It’s dead, but still holding on, unlike all the other leaves that fell.
Look at the new leaf. Reaching for the sun, drawing life from the air/stem/trunk/soil. Defying the odds for life.
Think about how this image relates to our current life situation. (Early 2026) Can we choose to be more like the new leaf than the dead one?
Action Plan for New Life
I don’t normally recommend a course of action, but these are not normal times. We don’t know how long it wll take, but eventually there will come a time of re-building and restoration. I think it would be a good idea to start thinking now about what our part will be in the renewal of our country and people’s lives. We need to learn self-care and self-compassion to be strong enough to support others.
Please share in the comments actions you are taking to help yourself and others in these uncertain times.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
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