Lord, how I wish I'll be like a tree -

In the summer of my life,
to absorb the warmth and the light of the rays of
Your Sun - Your Wisdom.

And in the autumn,
to be willing to shed my leaves
off to the ground, blown by the wind,
reduced to nothing...
One by one, I'll let go of each leaf,
holding nothing back.

In the winter of my life,
to remain faithful to what I am,
to keep still and
quiet,
subdued to the powerful wind,
allowing the white purity of the snow
to cover every part of me,
drinking from the ice cold rain....
letting each drop wash me, nourish me;
patiently waiting for the spring.
Nobody knows how much LIFE there is within me,
because they don't see through me.

And in the spring, once again,
I'll give birth to the newness
of this EVER PRESENT LIFE within me,
in order to proclaim the dignity of Your creation...

Each of my branches will glory in its buds,
out of reverence for all things created.
My flowers will open up gently and unnoticed,
declaring Your Beauty, as well as the fragrance
of Your tender Mercy.

Proudly will my branches carry each flower...
Each of my petals will greet each moment with the hope that:
As it lets the breeze caress her,
and allows the butterflies and bees to kiss her,
as my leaves bathe in the warm sunlight of Your love,
it may touch even a single soul,
to join in its silent hymn of praise to You, Lord.

Oh, let me be like a tree in Your Garden --
ever faithful and trustful in Your love and mercy --
as to be obedient and submissive
to Your Holy seasons of love for me,
yielding to the passion and death of the purifying fall and winter...
and exulting Your Holy Name --
As I glory in the resurrection of spring
And summer...

Oh, let me trust in Your mercy,
as a tree trusts that each bitter fall and winter,
will bring her back to the newness
of LIFE and BEAUTY of spring
And summer,
Until Your love finally leads me there,
to Your Eternal Spring,
AMEN.