Article July 17, 1915 Issue

Lesson From a Tree

MARY E. TUCKER

One December some friends from the old home in the North were visiting me, and were enjoying the delights of a winter spent mostly on an open porch. A chance remark of mine about our live-oaks and their peculiarities, elicited from my Christian Science friend a spiritual thought which has been of assistance many times in the solving of my own financial problems, so I pass it on, hoping some one else may get the needed help.

All winter, when the sycamore and umbrella trees are lifting long, leafless branches to the eternal blue, my live-oak stands "in verdure clad," furnishing shade to all, and this where shade is appreciated at every season of the year. Very early the new leaves begin to come on the bare branches of the other shade-trees, and long before Easter the city is decked in brilliant green. My oak, however, seems not to notice that its own coat begins to look shabby, and seemingly, too, is not concerned at the vital importance of the fresh new dress of the other trees. It puts forth no effort to coax new leaves by shaking off the old ones, nor does it change the dark green color of them.

At last, however, patience is rewarded, for a small yellow bud appears in front of each leaf where it joins the stem. A little later the buds turn brown and grow rapidly, while a tiny green leaf-point shows on each. A few more days and my oak tree has shed its leaves (the new crowding the old off), and in its new dress it stands "a thing of beauty" for another year. To me it is an annual illustration of God's promise given in Isaiah, "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." As the hundreds of liveoak trees in this city are being transformed each spring, what a wonderful spiritual lesson is spread out, that even "he that runs may read."

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