Picture of the day - November 27, 2005

A Very Stubborn Tree

Fallen tree

Today's picture features a very stubborn tree. Long ago it broke away from its roots and fell, only to catch itself with what's left of its limbs. Even though this old tree is worn and weathered, it refuses to fall to the ground where it would quickly rot away to nothing. Someday it will indeed hit the ground as all trees eventually do, but it is determined to hold on until the very last minute.

In a way, my mom is a lot like this old tree. Throughout her entire life she has struggled, sometimes against overwhelming odds, to provide for her children and grandchildren. She has worked day and night for many years to help ensure that we can enjoy a better life than she had growing up. Mom's two-pronged mission in life has always been very simple:

#1 - Worship God and strive to do His will
#2 - Take care of the kids to the very best of her ability

And mom has been very successful in carrying out both parts of that mission. She has lived a full and vibrant life, instilling in us the proper way to live our own lives. We haven't always followed the right path, but it wasn't because mom led us astray. Her way is straight and narrow, and when we veered off course her stern hand on our shoulders and tearful prayers often steered us right back onto the path. The times when we remained lost and without direction were due to our own failures, not hers. She did her very best and I'm sure God is well pleased with her performance.

Mom isn't as healthy now as she used to be - many decades of hard work have taken their toll. But like this old tree, she is quite stubborn when it comes to taking it easy and lying down. She is determined to make the most of every day God gives her in this world before he finally calls her home to the next one...and that's the way it should be.
 

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