Notes from Yukiko's Desk
Dear AGAC whanau,
As I mentioned last week, I recently spent three days at St. Francis retreat centre in Hillsborough. It was my third time staying there. On my first visit five years ago, I found my favourite spot under a large oak tree. Sitting there, I enjoyed watching leaves falling quietly, one by one. It occurred to me that God was showing me that letting go can be natural, necessary, and even beautiful. Last November, I once again spent a lot of time under the tree. Seeing the same tree come back to life with new leaves evoked a profound sense of excitement and reflection. So, I was really looking forward to doing the same again this time. However, I couldn’t find the tree anywhere! I looked around, and then found a stump on the spot. The tree had been cut down. Standing there instead, I contemplated the life of the tree for a while. Interestingly enough, the stump reminded me of one of my favourite children’s books titled The Giving Tree written by Shel Silverstein. It tells the evolving story of a relationship between a boy and a tree throughout the stages of his life, from childhood to old age. At the end, the tree, though just a stump now, is happy to offer him a place to rest. In the same way, the stump at St. Francis offered me a place to be still, a place to ponder, a place to connect with God. Job in the Bible also says;
“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. Job 14:7-9
I felt refreshed. I felt renewed. I found hope there. God is so faithful.
Ngā manaakitanga,