They shall be like trees planted by a river.... We couldn't help but remember the scriptures that talk about the tree planted by the river that bears fruit. As we grow older, we see the importance of bearing fruit to others and in the Kingdom of God. This tree was on the campus of the Masters Commission in Louisiana. Our son David graduated 2 weeks ago from there and this tree is the focal point of most photos there. The branches literally are only inches off the ground in spots and massive in size. The tree is majestic, powerful, and provides a lot of shade and shelter for animals. We thought of all the children who have lived with us or us with them and had a visual that our lives were starting to look like this massive tree. Branches bending as low as they possibly could go and yet still very useful and needed. The age is unknown, but obviously very old. If it could talk, the stories about the people that have stood under it's branches, sat on the branches, climbed on the branches, or admired the branches would be too numerous to count. We want our lives to be like that for the Kingdom of God. We hope to grow stronger, do greater works, and touch more lives in our golden years than before in our youth. Age has benefits like we saw in the tree. The longer you live, the more you can give.... advice, service, ideas, warnings of mistakes you have made, things to remember, or the miracles you have experienced with the Lord. Perhaps you will find a tree today that will remind you of what the Lord is doing in your life. Let's grow old together, useful for the Kingdom and ready to serve when He calls. C&N