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| "The Give-Away" by Ray Buckley |
Reflection
is essential to our spiritual lives. As I read this Hallmark poem I was
reminded of a precious book that I had read years ago entitled The Give-Away,
written by Ray Buckley, a Lakota First Nation Chief. In his story the “Two-leggeds” have lost
their sense of who they are. The animals
of the forest offer their most precious gifts to restore humanity. And in the end it is the Creator who offers
to the “Two-leggeds” the most precious gift of all.
As I reflect
on the meaning of this story I am reminded of the strength we have in our
Creator. Perhaps during these stressful
times of invisible enemies, our dis-ease with who we are, who we’ve become and
where we are going, have caused us to experience intense loss of who we really are
designed to be—love in this world.
Perhaps the wind in this Hallmark poem represents all the calamities
that we bring upon ourselves through our choices. So the wind (life) tosses us about, intermittently
shaking our very souls to awaken us to who we are in our Creator. Life choices
snap and pull at us causing us to sway and even break under the pressure. Just
like the wind did to the tree.
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| "Oak Tree in Wind" by Stuart Radcliff |
Our strength
comes from our firm foundation in our Creator, our roots, if you will. We have been growing stronger in faith since
birth. The love and light of that
acceptance remains within our souls. The
tree says to the wind, “You cannot touch my roots. They are the deepest part of
me.” We must say to the darkness of
uncertainty, “Go away. You cannot touch my faith. It is the deepest part of me.” We must hold firmly to our faith, endure the possible
pain and/or loss, and know the Creator has already given all “Two-leggeds” the
greatest reassurance of all…His Son. Remain
standing tall.
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the old tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the old tree was tired and stark.
But still the old tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
'How can you still be standing, Oak?'
The old tree said, 'I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away,
Shake my limbs, and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
Growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
They are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
Oh just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew."
...Hallmark Card of Encouragement
Submitted by Sharon Brignon
Member: Bethel UMC
