What Follows Life?

Whenever a tree has to be cut down, essentially ending its life, the good steward asks an important question. "Do I really want to cut this tree, bearing in mind that it cannot be replaced in the span of a person's lifetime?" Counting the growth rings on the cut tree tells us how long it has grown in addition to indications of what conditions were like at a given point in time. Growth rings close together indicate slow growth, probably a time of drought or setback from disease or insect attack. Wider space between rings suggest good years of growth, plenty of water and good temperature for the particular species of tree. Although it is interesting and worth doing, counting the rings and speculating about what might have happened over the years in the trees growth should not occupy too much of our time. The decision, for better or worse was made to cut it down and considerations now must concern what the tree will become after that point. Sometimes the use and purpose for the tree is foregone. Sometimes the project that some of the lumber is destined for a few years down the road is already in mind. Often the only thing that is sure is that, although no longer living, the tree will continue in some way to benefit people.

So it is with you and me. One day we will cease to be living. (Sounds better than saying we'll be dead). But just as the tree lives on in a different form, so will we. In his wonderful book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey listed the habits that effective people exhibited. The habits were listed in the order that he considered they had to be formed to be best used. Habit one was: "Be proactive." Makes sense to me. You'll not be as effective if you just let things happen as you will if you make things happen. But habit number two is the one that I find most fascinating. Habit two asks that you consider what people who have known you will say about you at your funeral; "What will people who knew you well say about your life?" That's where the analogy between me and the tree comes into play. Just as the tree will have purpose after it dies, so does the effective person. Although we can look back at our "growth rings" seeing good times and not so good times. our concern even after death, must be, "What next?" Our promise in the Christian faith is that mortal life is not the end. Unlike the tree, we can choose much of our growing conditions and in so doing affect the value of our existence. Steven Covey died this year. The fact that you are reading about him would indicate he knew what he was talking about. Interestingly, among his examples of an effective person in a book written essentially for a secular audience, one of his favorites was Joseph of the Bible. Our promise is, "Do My will and be courageous, for I am with you.

An Old Fashioned Country Girl

She was a bit of a tomboy; just as soon be playing baseball as playing with dolls. But dolls were OK too. She preferred outdoor activity, swimming, sleigh riding, that kind of thing. She loved being competitive when it came to almost any game or sport. That is probably part of what led to the accident. The sled was going too fast and the corner was too sharp and the stone wall beyond was unforgiving. After months of hospital stay, the verdict: irreparable spinal cord damage, no more walking, wheelchair bound from now on. Carrying on would require help from others. But the greatest help, as always, comes from within. Accepting where God has us always is important and for her, knowing He had something in mind with her sudden change in how she was going to live gave her hope.

She was loved by a man who saw who she was and proposed because there was much more to this woman than her inability to walk. There was a spirit about her that he admired and wanted that kind of support if and when he returned from serving overseas. He did return to her, and the son that she bore him in spite of the doctors advice to abort the pregnancy since it would be life-threatening to carry a baby to term in her condition. That spirit her husband saw in her, supported by her faith gave her the courage to do what she somehow knew was right.

That all happened a long time ago. It is a true story. That baby born out of that brave young woman's decision to ignore the doctor's warning is writing the story seventy-one years later. Naturally, there's much more to the story. But for now, I say, "Thank you." to the girl who would not give up and the veteran who saw how special she was. Thanks Mom. She would have been ninety-seven this month.