Growing Pains, Part One 11-17-10

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

The old Bail-o-Matic rests in the round pen adjacent to the barn—its faded yellow paint marred by rust and over thirty-five years of exposure to Sacramento’s hot dry summers and cool wet winters. This antique bailer has not been operated since its purchase and any attempt to relocate from its current site presents a unique challenge. Standing 25 feet tall and growing through the middle of the bailer, a valley oak tree secures the Bail-o-Matic to the landscape. The first time I saw this peculiar duo, I questioned why the tree had not been cut down. My husband related the following about the pair’s history:

The Bale-o-Matic was purchased back in 1973 I believe by either Dad or my grandfather. We had just gotten our first tractor, an old orange Allis-Chalmers, and we were in the process of trying to piece together all the farm implements that we needed to run our little ranch. All of the machinery that we had was bought at auctions or from private parties. One night Dad pulled that old baler home and left in the front of the barn. One thing was missing though, an engine to run the baler. Never got an engine to run that baler. We didn’t even have a rake to rake the hay into wind rows for the baler to pick up. We ended up having to put a small utility trailer on the back of a 1964 Plymouth Station Wagon and drove around the fields raking the grass up with our pitchforks and then driving the trailer in to the barn and unloading the “hay” into the barn. The Bale-o-Matic was never used and eventually about 1975 was pulled to its current resting place. The valley oak tree that has since grown through the frame of the baler and around the axle began growing shortly thereafter.

The tree was a small seedling at the time the bailer was parked, but that did not thwart the little oak’s determination. Valley oaks thrive in northern California’s climate with the largest-recorded tree reaching over 100 feet with a circumference of eight feet. The oak’s thick, ridged bark evokes visions of alligator hide and its strong desire for survival.

This oak has two distinctly evident curves: the first at the one-foot mark and the second approximately four feet from the ground, where the young sapling was twice forced to alter its vertical path to freedom. This strange machine/nature partnership presents two very different analogies:

1) If we are determined to grow in Christ, nothing will stop us, even though that path may not be as straight and clear as we anticipated or planned; and
2) How often do we live with a situation until it has so rooted itself into our souls that we feel permanently trapped and, like the bailer are pinioned to hopelessness or uselessness?

The oak’s strength and persistence are to be admired. In light of the overwhelming odds, the tree’s chances for success were limited. In this instance, nobody told the tree. Daily….yearly, the valley oak grew, seeking out the light and rooting deeper into the ground for nutrients. When faced with the bailer’s axle in its path, the little sprout grew around the axle until currently; the tree actually encases the axle. Years later when confronted with a second barrier, the oak, now both stronger and wiser, once more altered its course to find blue sky.

In Philippians 4:13, Paul states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Not some things or most things, but all things. Our brother, Paul was experienced in achieving goals even through insurmountable odds. His growth as a Christian took an immediate detour to Arabia before joining the apostles in Jerusalem. Through shipwreck, snakebite, multiple imprisonments and stoning, Paul focused upward and growing closer to the Son, not despairing or obsessing on the barriers in his path.

Every Christian faces challenges in their lives. James 1:1-3 assures us these trials are to be expected, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Like the valley oak, I pray my resolve to grow closer to God is just as strong to push past life’s inevitable barriers.

Careful Considerations: What challenges are you facing that seem insurmountable, causing you to feel hopeless or useless? What challenges have you faced that have strengthened your faith in God?

Heavenly Father, too often I focus on the hindrances rather than the Helper. I allow myself to become discouraged seeing all the reason why I can’t rather that trusting the One who can! "For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) Just like Abraham did not focus on his advanced age, but trusted God’s promise for a son, please clear my sight to see the possibilities that exist if I will only keep my eyes focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Love, Hugs and Prayers,

Gwenda

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26.


That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3