The Oak Tree

Pine trees in a forest are beautiful; tall and strong, reaching ever upward, standing close together, casting shade together, insomuch that the whole of the forest floor is cool and close. On the other hand, consider the lone oak standing on a hill; appearing gnarled and crooked against the sky, hot beneath the blazing sun. The roots of the mighty pines are intertwined, you know...if any one of those majestics were separated, and transplanted, it would fall. The roots are shallow in comparison to the height of the tree. The first big wind would topple it. The oak, on the other hand, has been growing in that singularly lonely place atop the hill from the moment the acorn was deposited in the soil. It has grown crooked, without support against the winds that blow, against the burning sun, the beating of rains...it has sunk its roots deep into the soil and has taken hold of the earth to support it. It has not attached to the roots of another tree for strength. It has sunk its own roots deep, independent of another tree. It will survive the drought. It has already done that. It will survive the storms and winds that blow. It has already done that, too. Alone, at the top of the hill, it will stand, with branches spread out to offer shade to the wandering soul who now stops beneath, to take refuge from the beating down of the heat of day. True, the shade of the oak is not broad and deep as the shade in the pine forest, but to him who travels far in search of shelter, the oak atop the hill is a promise from a great distance that safety is near. If the wanderer will continue to press forward, the oak will stand and provide a place to rest and take refuge from the journey behind. Pine forests are beautiful. Where are they? Oak trees are here...and have been growing, waiting for me to arrive at the top of the hill to take refuge and to rest. I've lived in places where pine forests are...then I've moved on. Most of the world is not pine forest. Most of the world is barren of a ready made root system into which one may weave his roots for support. I thank God for the oak in me. I thank Him for the shade, the strength and the protection I've been able to provide to those for whom I've cared and tended over the years. I so dearly thank God for the oak tree. How I've wanted and needed the shelter and protection from the wind and sun...how grateful I am for the safety and peace during the passing storms. I'm here, under the oak tree...and I want to stay.