Like Oaks, Like Cacti
The Resilient Heart
Nita Gilger
There is a massive live oak tree across the barbed wire fence by our house. It must be a couple of hundred years old. The Southern Live Oak Tree is a relatively fast-growing tree but their growth rate slows at about 70 years when they tend to reach their maximum trunk diameter. The oldest live oak trees in the U.S. are estimated to be between several hundred to over a thousand years old. I am no arborist, but I know a great tree when I see and feel one. The energy from trees is amazing. Some say that one of the ways we can save our planet is to plant a trillion trees all over the world. I even read about a school that is requiring their seniors to plant 10 trees as a part of their graduation requirement. I have been known to sit with my back up against a tree to breathe in earth energy from its deep roots as I go into a peaceful and powerful state of meditation. It is an experience of divine resilience.
This essay is not meant to be about how much tree knowledge I have or to try to convince you to become a tree hugger like me. Rather, I am fascinated by the prickly pear cactus growing right out of the side of the tree. Even in its powerful size, strength and dependability, this old oak is home to a thorny, tough cactus. How does that even happen?
There is true power when we hold joy, strength, and debilitating sadness and hardship in our hearts at the same time. If we are to be fully engaged with life, it would seem to me that it is nearly impossible to avoid the combination. Life happens. Disappointment and grief arrive at our doorsteps. The cactus does not appear to have compromised the strength of the great, old oak tree. Dare I jump to the comparison to say perhaps the oak is even stronger because it has proven it can host the uninvited guest and still grow? Maybe true strength is not barreling through life with ego and bravado at the helm. Perhaps it is more about learning to be strong and inclusive alongside the hard intrusions. Challenges are part of the fabric of our lives, but as God invites us into amazing possibilities we live into those times.
My life has a few unwelcomed guests and certainly some difficult happenings, but I am no different than anyone else. Some have much more to handle and some have less, but all of us have to balance how we hold joy and sorrow in the same heart and still manage to grow and move toward wholeness. The prickly pear live oak tree inspires me to believe that is possible. Come to think of it, maybe the old live oak actually allowed, if not invited, its thorny visitor. It seems that the initially troublesome addition to the tree might have become part of its strength. Both the cactus and the live oak have survived storm after storm after storm. They seem to be compatible and comfortable with one another after some years of endurance.
Not to be forgotten is the prickly pear. Against all odds and conditions, it has chosen a host that supports its life. Yes, life in the rocky, hard places can flourish. The prickly pear and the old oak are holding class this morning. I am the willing student.
From Psalms 28:7-9:
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in God my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to God.
The Lord is the strength of the people,
God is the saving refuge of the anointed,
O save thy people, and bless thy heritage;
be thou their shepherd, and carry them forever. (RSV)
As strong as an oak? And as brave as a prickly pear? Yes indeed! Yes indeed!
This essay is not meant to be about how much tree knowledge I have or to try to convince you to become a tree hugger like me. Rather, I am fascinated by the prickly pear cactus growing right out of the side of the tree. Even in its powerful size, strength and dependability, this old oak is home to a thorny, tough cactus. How does that even happen?
There is true power when we hold joy, strength, and debilitating sadness and hardship in our hearts at the same time. If we are to be fully engaged with life, it would seem to me that it is nearly impossible to avoid the combination. Life happens. Disappointment and grief arrive at our doorsteps. The cactus does not appear to have compromised the strength of the great, old oak tree. Dare I jump to the comparison to say perhaps the oak is even stronger because it has proven it can host the uninvited guest and still grow? Maybe true strength is not barreling through life with ego and bravado at the helm. Perhaps it is more about learning to be strong and inclusive alongside the hard intrusions. Challenges are part of the fabric of our lives, but as God invites us into amazing possibilities we live into those times.
My life has a few unwelcomed guests and certainly some difficult happenings, but I am no different than anyone else. Some have much more to handle and some have less, but all of us have to balance how we hold joy and sorrow in the same heart and still manage to grow and move toward wholeness. The prickly pear live oak tree inspires me to believe that is possible. Come to think of it, maybe the old live oak actually allowed, if not invited, its thorny visitor. It seems that the initially troublesome addition to the tree might have become part of its strength. Both the cactus and the live oak have survived storm after storm after storm. They seem to be compatible and comfortable with one another after some years of endurance.
Not to be forgotten is the prickly pear. Against all odds and conditions, it has chosen a host that supports its life. Yes, life in the rocky, hard places can flourish. The prickly pear and the old oak are holding class this morning. I am the willing student.
From Psalms 28:7-9:
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in God my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to God.
The Lord is the strength of the people,
God is the saving refuge of the anointed,
O save thy people, and bless thy heritage;
be thou their shepherd, and carry them forever. (RSV)
As strong as an oak? And as brave as a prickly pear? Yes indeed! Yes indeed!
