Lifting Arms to God
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~ Joyce Kilmer
I love trees. We live in a neighborhood with lots of them, this once having been a wooded area before our development was built amidst the tall oaks and others. I'm always sad when one is cut down, usually worrying that it was the home of some squirrels or birds. I'm kind of silly that way. I'm a little melancholy tonight for several reasons, among which is the fact that every day it seems I hear of more of my brethren who are going through one kind of trial or another. Such was the case tonight--I just heard of another one. So I've abruptly changed from what I was going to post and while looking outside at the falling snow, this familiar poem that we all know came to mind. I don't even know what I want to say; I just wanted to post it.
Well, I will say that I'll learn a lesson or two from trees: They look at God all day and lift their arms to pray. Probably in the morning, snow (and ice) will be lying on the bosoms of the trees in and around my yard. They'll keep lifting their arms to God, though. I pray the same for my several hurting friends who are struggling through their winter storms.
13 comments:
A great poem, Maxine ~ that is so neat about lifting arms to God.
I just had my huge maple trees cut back. I was afraid a giant limb might fall on my house. And I just now got the mess cleaned up from the storm long ago. Praying God will meet the needs of your friends ~
What a beautiful way to remind us to constantly look-up to HIM. By-the-way the trees in our yard look exactly like that with their ice covered boughs.
Susan
What a great analogy. "Lift up our eyes whence cometh out help", I believe that's how the scripture goes.
I too love trees Maxin---that is one of the things I love about my new to me house...TREES and of course squirrels...the poem is beautiful and a great analogy.
Deby
All my life I wanted a home with lots of trees..... When we first moved home 7 years ago and started looking for a home to buy we eneded up buing a two story home in town..I had prayed for a home with trees but I know that God can do all things.. it only had three trees..... across the front of the yard....
Two years latter we decided that the stairs and the work that the home needed... One day my son came in and told me about a home in the country...... Long story short.. and 10 acres latter we are living amid hundred of trees... I walk and talk to them and so love them..... I love the poem....
I don't think I've ever read that whole poem, Maxine. I love it! My husband and I are also "tree lovers." He's always planting trees on our property, walking around to check on them, etc. He even talks to them and touches them because he heard that it helps them to grow.
Up here in MN we have lots of snow on our trees - and they really are beaustiful.
I believe more times of testing are coming for all of us as we get closer to the time of the Lord's return. I'm so glad that He helps us through the testing, aren't you?
I enjoyed your message and the poem!
I have always viewed trees particularly certain ones that are shaped a certain way, as the arms and strength of GOD covering over me. I've lived near some very beautiful trees in my lifetime.
God bless.
I love trees too. And that is one reason why I've had such difficulty adjusting to where I live. I'm in a desert climate, and that means we don't have very many trees. Trees really don't grow naturally. They're in areas where they've been planted, like yards and parks. Our unplanted, wild areas are full of sagebrush.
Trees provide shade in summer, food, homes for animals, much-needed oxygen for us to breath, firewood, and a host of other things. God blessed us abundantly on the third day when he created trees. I LOVE them.
I used that poem in my nature notebook a few years ago, along with photos of some trees.
Blessings,
Patti
Beautiful thoughts about trees. I like that poem - I remember it from my highschool days. And a great reminder to keep lifting our arms to the Lord too ...
Hello! Someone in our Christian chatroom posted a picture of a tree that resembled a woman. It made me think of the line from the poem "Trees" that goes "A tree that looks at God all day,and lifts her leafy arms to pray". I began a search for the words to that poem and your page was one of many that came up...so I had a look. :) I'll probably be back another time and have a few more looks. Thanks.
Thanks for visiting, Elvis. Hope you'll come again! It is indeed a lovely and inspiring poem.
Beautiful Maxine. What an encouragement. Lifting my arms to my Father today.
Love in Christ,
Susan
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this long favorite poem in entirety.
I love trees too and often declare that to my family. Here in MD they go that extra mile to keep as much wooded area as possible. A portion of the woods in the back of our house is protected by law and cannot be cut down. I'm so glad God will make a new earth after He wipes this one away because I would sorely miss His creation here.
Revelation 20
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Revelation 21
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
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