In “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”, Legolas speaks to Gimli about the trees of Fangorn Forest waking up. How much our family loves this trilogy of movies!
I don’t live in Fangorn Forest and I am fairly certain our trees do not speak to each other, but at long last spring has steadily and slowly arrived and the trees indeed are waking up.
I love the word picture of trees awakening. It can be easy to see the trees as dead after autumn in the Midwest and other parts of the country that enjoy all four seasons. They are not dead at all, but only asleep, in a state of dormancy, conserving their resources. The Lord created them to temporarily stop growth, development, and physical activity to conserve energy. One of the reasons their leaves drop in the fall is so fewer parts of the tree need nourishment.
God has designed them so incredibly that they actually change their membranes on the surface areas so that water migrates from inside the cells to the spaces between the cells. This makes them more pliable. Then, as the trees convert starches to sugar in the fall, these sugars act in the same capacity as antifreeze, lowering the overall freezing point of the trees.
How marvelous are His works! What a Creator He is!
If He has so carefully designed the mechanisms of the trees to withstand the harsh winds and temperatures of winter, how could we ever be tempted to doubt His provision for us during the harsh seasons of our lives?
Everywhere we look, He reminds us that He has and is providing for us. We can look at the tree as provision for its beauty, its fruit, its shade, or its wood, but it often goes without notice of the provision for the tree in order for it to provide all of those things.
There is a truth there. His provision comes layer upon later in intricate detail. That provision may seem scarce or non-existent even as the trees appear dead in winter, but the Lord has not forgotten.
The last few days I have been able to enjoy walks where the Lord has been drawing my eyes to the evidences of His creation being summoned to awaken. The steadily increasing warmth of the days and the lengthening hours of light are nudges to the trees to awaken even though an unseasonable few warm days early can fool the trees.
Light. How key it is to everything!
Trees and plants of all kind need light to be fruitful.
We, too, need light to bring us out of the darkness, to awaken us into life.
We need ongoing light for growth and fruitfulness.
We need the Light of the World!
I can only imagine what it will be like when the Light of the World returns and awakens this world! Then we will truly behold Him and see the whole of what we cannot see now.
Out here with the ocean on both sides, springtime comes S L O W. I hear the cold water keeps everything cooler. Which is very nice in the summertime!
So I’m loving your photos, Pam. And longing for those brilliant colors to come …
Pam, Beautiful post!!
I did not know that about trees and the “anti-freeze” effect. Fascinating!
I reflected on your words, “If He has so carefully designed the mechanisms of the trees to withstand the harsh winds and temperatures of winter, how could we ever be tempted to doubt His provision for us during the harsh seasons of our lives?” and they gave me much encouragement.
Thank you for sharing this edifying post!
Blessings.
Thanks, Karen! I only learned that as I was trying to discover what happens during dormancy and what awakens them. So glad the Lord used this. Blessings on your day!
Hi Pam! I really liked the photo of the apple blossom. So delicate, yet so hardy! I think it’s true that God makes sure that his creatures bloom and grow in a rhythm, not bursting all at once. He knows me, and I wouldn’t be able to handle it!
I am so happy about your time to walk and just think, just be appreciative. I know that God loves to be with you! What artist doesn’t love to be appreciated for his work?
Blessings my friend,
Ceil
Thanks! It grows along the back wall of our garage. Yes, I miss days when our Ohio weather doesn’t allow it. It also helps my sleep at tonight if I get a walk of even 30 minutes during the day. (They plan a decision by the weekend….need great wisdom on two great choices.) Love you!
Thank you so much for this! I always think that the wonder of nature – and even our own bodies – show the love and care God has put into His creation.
Your paragraph: “If He has so carefully designed the mechanisms of the trees to withstand the harsh winds and temperatures of winter, how could we ever be tempted to doubt His provision for us during the harsh seasons of our lives?” I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks for sharing at the Loft.
I agree 100%! Thanks so much! I always enjoy visiting the Loft.
Fax message? Cool idea! I would like a text perhaps or on the really toughest things a sky writer with letters 100 feet high. Blessings on your day!
Beautiful, Pam. Don’t you just love taking those walks surrounded by nature…the artwork of God on display? Thankful for the Light that awakens my spirit when I’m feeling depleted. Thanks for sharing, Pam. So glad to be your linkup buddy today at Jaime’s place. xoxo ((grace upon grace))
Yes, I really do love them!! He is an amazing artist over and over again! Happy to have you stop by! Blessings on your day!
That dogwood tree is beautiful and I love how beautiful it is after God has awakened it. Thanks for the reminder of how beautiful it is going to be when our Lord returns.
Thanks! It’s the view from my kitchen window. Sadly, there is a fungus affecting it as most other dogwoods and it is slowly being affecting and will die despite treatment to try to stop it. Each time it still blooms, we rejoice.
Beautiful photos! I just adore spring and love how you shared these details about God’s design to protect your trees through harsh condition! Blessings, liz
Thanks, Liz! Blessings on your day!
I’ve got to share this post with my fourteen year old Hobbit lover.
And I love to teach kids about trees because to me they demonstrate God’s dedication to creativity! He could have just made “tree.” All the same. They could have all been shaped like a four year old’s lollipop drawing of a tree, but He designed them in all shapes and with all kinds of different attributes.
Thanks, Pam, for this lovely post!
You are so right! It would have been boring to simply create “tree”. You’re welcome and thanks for your encouragement!