December 14 -- JOY

Watercolour by Sister Jean SSJD

I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress; the plane and the pine together ~Isaiah 41:19

God shows us Joy in the trees. I love trees. I was born in Nottingham where the stories of Sherwood Forest permeate the city. Perhaps my love of trees was set in my beginnings. Or I found my delight while dreaming midst the music of the wind filled Aspens of Alberta.

One summer, when I was 13, my friends and I built a treehouse. Every day we went deep into the woods of the valley near our home. Such a team we were, laughing and labouring with anticipation. And then one day we were finished. Taking snacks and lemonade, we climbed up into our treehouse and looked up in silence. And we were part of the tree.

Standing like a tree with my roots dug down   
My branches wide and open Come down the rain 
Come down the sun 
Come down the fruit to a heart that is open….  *

A tree is shade and warmth and a home for life; sturdy and strong yet flexible and giving. Present. Joy to the heavens. My soul is my tree of life. My leaves change with my seasons of life. My roots are always happiness. And my branches are yearning, reaching to God. God responds with Joy. My work is to stand, see and accept Joy with an open heart. 

*“Standing Like a Tree” by Betsy Rose https://soundcloud.com/thebirdsings/day-321-standing-like-a-tree

 – Joanne Davies