I have come to love winter as "The Season of Lines", for this is when branches are fully exposed. Throughout the year, much of our Creator-God's artistry is masked by foliage. Sadly, temperatures of winter keep most from truly pausing to enjoy this beautiful handiwork. Oak trees are a particular favorite of mine. They are long-lived & when properly used in building, actually turn to something like stone. We found a 5th generation jeweler to carve & cast our wedding rings, who told us oaks symbolize strength & longevity. A reader of runes, she added "It takes 3 to make a solid marriage: the man, the woman & God". This is why our rings have 3 White Oak leaves. My engagement ring is a delicately sculpted branch.
In this Season of Lines, I particularly savor the shape, line & overall form of the oaks. They grow into gorgeous sculptures,showing decades of weathering which younger trees have not endured. Lately I have been pondering the metaphor between the hidden structure of trees & our inner selves. While driving home one day, my eye was drawn to this awesome pair. I turned my van around & paused to capture this image at a busy intersection. I was struck that one is in the light, while the other is cast in shadow. Closer inspection shows the one in greater light is larger, while the shaded one's growth is further hindered by a layer of parasitic moss. No matter the outer facade we wear, if our structure is shaded our entire form may become cast into darkness. We are helpless to keep the stuff of this world from overtaking our inner self. We all must be vigilant..."intentional & deliberate"... to maintain our relationship with God to ensure our structural support is in His Almighty Light. It is only then we can be prepared to heed His call & fully enter into the Purpose for which we are called.
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