Lens on the SOUL — Essay 1 Decomposing Fallen Tree
The tree must have died and then fallen years ago or perhaps it fell and then died. Which came first, the falling or dying, I can’t say. All I know is that there it lay, with its top in the lake.
The wood fibers were nearly decomposed and they crumbled to the touch, like weak cork. I smelled the crumbled fibers and the aroma was that of fresh earth. The fallen tree had nearly gone full circle in its journey, close to being back to the soil from which it sprang as a seedling, probably a century ago.
Life’s like that, not just for trees but for all living things, including us. We are here for a season on earth, then gone. Yes, we humans, unlike trees and other living things, can have eternal life and live forever with God but there’s no getting around the fact that this lifetime has a limit. The fact that this life will soon end should prompt thoughts about how we should want to live the remainder of our days.
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Dave
This picture reminds me of what are called “nurse trees” in the rain forests of Oregon and Washington. Rosemary and I often saw many huge trees in various stages of decay, and in the decaying matter of the logs were growing many varieties of new plant life, “nursing” nutrients from the long dead trees. Perhaps the nutrients we can leave behind for others are acts of kindness and help we do for them while we are alive.
I just got on this website for the first time and I am happy I did. I was totally impressed and in awe of the picture of the tree in “Lens on the Soul”. It was truely awsome and inspiring photo. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
3 Responses to “Lens on the SOUL (Photo Essay)”
By max gerber on Nov 28, 2007
This picture reminds me of what are called “nurse trees” in the rain forests of Oregon and Washington. Rosemary and I often saw many huge trees in various stages of decay, and in the decaying matter of the logs were growing many varieties of new plant life, “nursing” nutrients from the long dead trees. Perhaps the nutrients we can leave behind for others are acts of kindness and help we do for them while we are alive.
By Elizabeth Macino on Dec 3, 2007
I just got on this website for the first time and I am happy I did. I was totally impressed and in awe of the picture of the tree in “Lens on the Soul”. It was truely awsome and inspiring photo. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
By Dave Claassen on Dec 3, 2007
Elizabeth,
Thanks for stopping by! I’m going try and share another photo with an accompanying essay about once a week or so.
Dave