The Young Sapling

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4,5

One evening after a day working in my garden, I sat down to survey its promise. My attention was drawn to a new tree we’d planted. The landscapers had carefully planted it and drove two stakes into the ground on either side of the tree. They had then taken two rubber-band like straps and wrapped them around the tree and the stake on either side. I believe this planting process is done to protect the young tree in strong winds and to provide stability.

As I pondered this treatment, I began to see an analogy to our families. If we are in God’s perfect plan, each child has a mother and father to stand on either side. We give them stability, but also flexibility. For it is in allowing the bending and freedom of movement that we encourage growth and strength in the trunk. Therefore, their lives are able to bear the storms of life. We must watch the growth carefully and remove the bands and stakes at the right moment, otherwise, the trunk of the mature tree will be scarred forever.

I asked the Lord for a scripture because I believe revelations are always backed up by scripture. He gave me Psalm 23:4,5 quoted above.

I interpreted this scripture analogy as Mom and Dad, the two stakes, as His gift to me. They confirm and nurture me until I’m ready to stand on my own. As I thought about it, it seems to fit:… the rod, being the Dad and the staff, being the Mom – What do you think?