The Eastloch Tree...

It's the only tree in our front yard.  Poised at the convergence of two roads.  There is a small sign nailed to the trunk marking our address although I've always thought it's too far away from the house to really help with navigation.  The boys wait for the bus under it's shade in spring and play football under it's changing leaves in the fall. It's unassuming compared to the original oaks in the backyard.  No swings hang from its branches beckoning kids to fly.  But something about it intrigues me. 

It was the heavy fog, early one November morning, that initially drew me in.  The fog surrounding the tree with such beauty and mystery caused me to pause and capture the moment in photograph.  I was captivated...noticing that some leaves still clung to the branches.  

Just a couple of weeks later during one of the first snowfalls of the winter, I paused to take another photograph of the tree as big snowflakes fell all around it.  It was this second photograph that prompted me to "name" the tree.  I named it so it would be easy to locate the pictures on my computer. 

But with the naming came a realization...this tree represented something deeper for me.  It's taken a while to put into words and I still hesitate to try to explain the naming for fear that it sounds trite or cliche.

I've realized that the Eastloch tree is a constant in my life when so many other things are changing.  

Many times this tree has caused me to pause and slow...to breathe in the beauty God is displaying right out my front door.

There are other times when I drive or walk right by without noticing, but I know that it's there.  

It was early spring when we first moved in to this house.  We had the trees trimmed by a company that we've grown to trust over the years.  I remember saying to the Arbormaster owner,  "I'm worried the tree in the front yard may be dying.  I notice buds but no leaves. All the other trees in the yard are in full bloom."

  After examining it, he said that he noticed a large "trunk wound" but the only way we would know if it was going to survive was to prune it and see what happened. 

I'm beginning to realize that the Eastloch tree is a concrete example of Jesus in my life.  He is constant.  No matter what I am going through.  

There are times when I sense His presence drawing me close and I stop and pay attention.  Then there are other times when I rush through life without stopping to take notice but He's still right there.

James 1:17 says "He does not change like shifting shadows."  

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change."  Whether I sense His presence or not...He is there.  

And even with a gaping wound, a little pruning may be just what we need to bring healing and to facilitate healthy growth.  But, most of the time it takes trust and perseverance that the difficult pruning will bring about something good and fruitful.

John 15:1-3 says...
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

As I look through the pictures that I've taken over the past few months...there are stormy days, bright blue sky days, mysterious fog days...and yet the Eastloch tree remains the same.  I'm so thankful for this concrete reminder.

It's only been three months since I began this photographic journey with the Eastloch tree and I don't intend to stop.

 I've witnessed beauty in the most barren season...and look forward to new growth this spring.