the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
—Isaiah 55:12b

Here’s your daily dose of irony:

My favorite thing about Lone Elm Road is the groupings of trees.

I drive this road every day, but it was only recently that I paid attention to the rows of trees. Here are five small trees, planted just a few years ago. Next to them, a line of mature trees, planted a decade ago, or more.

Here are some thoughts I had about trees in a row:

• Each group of trees tells a story. The day they were planted. How they, and the world around them, have grown over time. The beauty still to be revealed in years to come.
  A row of trees is a living history and a promise for the future.
  
  
• In this verse from Isaiah, the trees are said to clap their hands–quite an unusual image. Chapter 55 is a message of God at work in the world, and the whole world rejoicing in God’s restoration.
  A row of trees is a celebration of God at work.

• Like a bouquet of flowers or a vegetable garden, a group of trees points to God’s creative power expressed through human creativity.
  A row of trees is a collaboration with God.

Spiritually, people are a lot like trees. Roots of faith. Good soil. Living water.

When we stand together in a row:

We reflect the richness of past, present and future.
We celebrate the one who made us.
We join as co-creators with each other and with our God.

In the Kingdom of God, no Elm has to go it alone.

And for that and so much more, can we give

a round of applause?

Have a great week,

Mitch

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