A wealthy man in a small town died and someone asked his lawyer how much money he had left behind. The lawyer wisely said, “All of it.” How much of what we have or do in life is for just ourselves, our comfort, our profit, our satisfaction? A Godly heritage of walking with God is greater than any earthly possession.
Do we consciously do anything to plant a seed for the generations that are to come after us? Is there anything that you are currently involved in that will outlive you? How would you be remembered after people have encountered you for a while? All of it? Indeed, the story is told of a beautiful young mother who one day returned to her home distraught and in great anguish to see the building in which her little infant lay asleep in flames. The firemen could not restrain her, and she dashed through the flames and rescued her child, but in doing so, she was so severely burned that her face was horribly disfigured for life. When she looked at her face in the glass after it was healed, she was shocked at her disfigurement, but was comforted by the thought that when her little girl grew up, she would appreciate the sacrifice that her mother had made to rescue her. She sacrificed her future in a gesture that was worth the purpose and act. This is what in Christian spirituality is known as planting a Tamarisk tree.
In Genesis 21:33 we are told that, “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God”. Abraham did not simply plant any tree upon arriving in Beersheba. He planted a special tree that brings comfort and relief to those who live in the harsh desert environment. Tamarisk trees are significant in the desert. They bear no fruit; they only provide shade. They are the slowest growing of all the desert trees. They must be intentionally watered, either by hand or diverting water to them. It is the only shade tree in the desert if it is cared for – it lasts for generations. One does not plant a Tamarisk tree for oneself, but for one’s great-grandchildren. The one who plants the Tamarisk tree often does not live long enough to see its maturity. Thus, to a Jew of the Middle East, the saying is this, “you don’t plant a tamarisk tree for yourself, you plant it for generations to come”. So, surely, this was one reason for which we are told that Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree? If only our leaders, parents, spouses and friends would all be committed to planting a “Tamarisk tree”, our world would be rid of greedy and selfish individuals.
We each need to plant a Tamarisk tree. In a small village, a wealthy nobleman built a beautiful church for the local people. When it was opened, people admired the beautiful walls and windows, but soon noticed the absence of lights. There were only lamp holders, and each family had to bring their own lamp to help provide light for the whole church. Hence, as we match on in the month of March, I encourage you to plant a Tamarisk tree, water it, work on it with all your heart for that’s how you will be remembered. It is said, “A Man is best described by what he leaves behind.” Abraham knew the harshness of the desert climate. He knew that other generations would have to face the same heat, trials and desert challenges. So, he planted the Tamarisk tree to bring them relief and comfort. He cared about their future and demonstrated it with actions. We are all preparing our legacy in some way. Individuals, Families, Churches and nations also build and leave legacies. A legacy can be a negative, positive or passive memorial. If you don’t choose to leave a positive legacy, what is left is “all of it”.
*May Your Week Not Be Weak But With Him. I Send You My Prayerful Wishes.* From Fr.Ray@accG
