I named this picture "Life after Death".  I took it several years ago because it was so unusual.  I cannot show you the whole tree but it was dead except for these three little limbs.  You can see the limb from which they are growing is broken off.  The thought that came to mind when I saw it was - only God can bring life after death. 

God said to me, "Study the tree Tom.  Study the tree and learn".

As I observed the trees, I began to think about their root system.  I have either heard or read that there is as much of the tree underground as there is above.  I began to think of the tremendous root they have in their source.  The source that gives them all of their nutriment, the things that produce growth, development, and stability. 

The next thing I thought of is that every tree has a trunk.  The trunk grows bigger as the tree grows taller thus supporting the tremendous weight.  Not just the weight of the height of the tree but the vast outreach of the limbs.  The trunk has to be solid to support the weight but, at the same time, has to be flexible so that it can give when the winds of storm come against it.  It always amazes me to see how trees bend and sway in the wind. 

I remember climbing in a tree in the front yard of my childhood home.  I would climb up as far as I could until I got to the point that the limbs became small enough they couldn't support me without bending dramatically.  I remember hanging on as the wind blew through the tree swinging me back and forth.  In the tree top it seemed very windy but when back on the ground it seemed as if there was no wind at all.  It was like a different world in the tree top.  It gave me a totally different perspective of the life around me. 

As I continued to study the trees, I began to see the hundreds of limbs going off in every direction.  I started thinking of my life.  Every limb seemed to represent a relationship, opportunity, job, path, ministry, idea, or attempt at something.  I was thinking about my life.  Some of the limbs were broken off; some dead; some large; some small; some looked half alive.  Similar to the avenues my life has taken leaving a trail of broken relationships; half finished projects; failed opportunities on the one hand and on the other business successes; good relationships; accomplished goals. 

The tree was becoming more and more like me.  It is getting older and showing its age.  Firmly grounded in its source.  Some scars.  No doubt, if I could climb to the top I would see new growth stretching toward the heavens.  Seasoned.  Stout from battling many storms.  Still supporting life.  Helping birds, squirrels and other life forms by providing a place for them to live adding to the community.  Contributing oxygen.  Providing beauty to the place where it was placed in creation.  Providing shade and music.  Yes, music.  I love to sit on the swing in our back yard and listen to the wind blowing through the trees.  There is something very relaxing and enjoyable about it. 

Two things I did not see in my study.  I did not see the tree fearful of how tall it was growing nor did I see it looking down at the broken limbs.  I only saw it stretching toward the sky as if giving praise and thanksgiving to its Creator.