By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

At first glance, you might not see anything special about this week’s picture.  But look closely.  Yes, it is just a highway lined by trees.  But those trees, those gigantic trees, called Ponderosa Pines, line this highway near the Pacific coast of Oregon.  Look at the size of the trees in reference to the car on the highway.

A tree is just a tree.  Well, no, it isn’t.  Each part of our country is different.  I grew up with a yard of very large oak trees.  Today, my yard and most of those around me are full of just plain pine trees.  Certainly not the same shade providing variety of tree I played under as a child.

You will walk your routine this week as a tree.  You may be straight and narrow like the pines in my yard.  You may stand mighty and fierce like a grand old southern oak.  You may flower and sway like a crepe myrtle.  Or you may stand way above the rest of us like a Ponderosa Pine.  None of that really matters, as long as you stand.

Winds and storms come.  Dig your roots deep and stand.  Human forces may seek to destroy you.  Plant your roots and stand.  Other trees may fall your way.  Hold on strong and stand firm, reaching to the heights that are meant for God-fearing people to reach.

Yes, you may just be a tree.  But just look how tall and mighty and unbelievably strong you are compared to the world at your feet.  Be the strong person you are called to be this week.  Tower above the world’s problems, and stand.

Just a thought.