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."

Several times since becoming interested in Christian Science I have had this lesson brought prominently to my thought. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 307) Mrs. Eddy says, "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." Then we have St. Paul's advice to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Working with these two thoughts in mind, I have proved that God's spiritual ideas are much more satisfactory as a source of supply than aught that mere human thought could devise. I took up the thought of all supply as being here and now; that my supply was meant for me, sometimes coming before I realized a need; that there is no power apart from God, divine Love, and that I should have what rightfully belonged to me. The Master's words as given in Luke plainly say, "Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things," and accepting this, my part is also plainly indicated, "Neither be ye of doubtful mind." As one never questions the ability of divine Love, why doubt the Father's willingness to bestow abundantly, when the Master's promise was, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you"? With me the result has justified this new line of right thinking.

Before knowing anything of Christian Science, life was a continual struggle to secure needed supplies, work seemed scarce, and the pay check not always adequate to provide all we thought we needed. Just here I was taught another lesson,—to differentiate between my wants and my needs,—and I have learned to be content when my needs are supplied. No marvelous changes have taken place in our circumstances, only a gradual growth into better conditions. After several years of trying always to think rightly, I can truthfully say that we are better clothed, have much better home surroundings, and our table is more abundantly supplied than ever before. Best of all is the freedom from any sense of lack, and the realization of a genuine spiritual growth into a knowledge of the truth as taught in Christian Science.

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