A Tree of Life

When I asked my husband what that smell was that he was wearing, in typical fashion he replied. “Its better to smell like a tree than the stuff around it!”

Thinking about the fragrance a tree can bring, surprisingly, his comical reply birthed a revelation of the scent of a tree as how God wants us to be.

Many large trees fall over easily when the soil is too soft and strong winds blow

The same with us. When we get comfortable on the joys of life it is more difficult to stand strong when trials come.

Some trees are scrawny with barely a leaf
While others are lush providing cool rest and relief

Both start the same way as a tiny seed
So why do some fade as others succeed?

When the ground is scorching and burning our feet
And we thirst for relief as harsh sun beats …

Which tree do we turn to, to find rest in the shade.
Where cool breezes flow and restoration is made?

And some flourish drawing others to shelter?
trees that grow strong have healthy soil

Healthy soil is sustained by the death of surrounding animals and vegetation and the moisture that flows through after the rain. If the soil has all the ingredients but a lack of water it becomes parched and cracks begin to appear. Without the moisture that flows from above a tree won’t ever reach its potential.

And when bushfire rage through a tree can’t run or fly away, it has to stand still and endure the pain. It may become damaged and scared, but if the foundations are strong, the scars will heal and new sprouts will emerge., there is no defence

Colossians 2:7
New Living Translation
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

He leads me beside still waters restoring my soul

Jesus hung on a tree

The JB Phillips Bible in"Ephesians 6:10-18"://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A13&version=PHILLIPS says this:

Be forewarned and forearmed in your spiritual conflict
In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.

Psalm 23