The Winter Tree
My friend, David Harvey, asked me to submit another painting and reflection for his church publication. I feel very honoured by this.
Allow me to share my piece with you……
For the Beauty of the Earth
by David Harvey
What scenes of natural beauty are currently inspiring you? Send a photograph that you have taken or a scan of a painting, with the artist’s permission.
I love being involved in this section of Trinity Today! The beauty of creation is truly boundless in variety, complexity, simplicity, hugeness and tininess and, well, mind-boggling cleverness!
In the April issue of Trinity Today we will be done with winter, regardless of what the weather has in store for us! Let’s look for signs of early spring and take photos; and if that proves difficult, then perhaps hunt for a favourite photo we have taken from an earlier spring that shows off the beauty of the earth. Please send your offerings at any time before Easter so that we can include them in the April edition. It would be fun to have a big splash of beautiful images to add to our celebration of Easter. If you would like to include a short reflection, please do.
We are grateful, once again, to Edmonton artist Laura Bachynski for her generosity in sharing another of her paintings this month. Laura first shared her work with us in the October 2022 edition of Trinity Today.
The Winter Tree by Laura Bachynski
Long shadows.
Sometimes it seems the world is filled with them and we crave the light. Winter can be especially difficult for some people because of the darkness.
One day I was visiting my parents during a particularly snowy day and I went out for a drive by myself.
I am NOT a winter person and although it was cozy inside their home I was just craving some fresh air.
So off I went and was just passing by this barren, iced over lake and thinking about some 'darkness' in my life when I saw a beautiful sight.
There, alone, looking like a sentinel, stood a single tree. The sun shone through its naked branches giving it the appearance of wearing a shimmering dress.
Each branch seemed to dance with golden glory, reminding me that Spring was just around the corner.
Soon, that same tree would have a 'dress' made of bright green leaves to match the lawn upon which it stood...a place where people could stroll, take their dogs for a walk, or maybe skip stones upon the neighbouring glassy lake.
But for now I enjoyed the scene before me exactly as it was.
Life finds a way of continuing on, the sun still shines, and we can learn to leave the shadows behind us.
Hope can keep us going and God gives us many reasons to hope and...rejoice even!
Did you know that there are at least 42 verses about HOPE in the bible?
Job 11:17–19
“And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. “
( And if JOB can say this......)
Psalm 62:5–6
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
SO many beautiful verses about hope....to give us hope. I am also a singer/songwriter and my second album was called "Hope Is".
There are a lot of terrible things happening in the world right now from 'natural' disasters to wars, famine, and more. Perhaps we can be like the winter tree and hold out our arms with complete trust for the 'SUN' to shine through us. Then we might not only receive the gift of hope...but be able to give hope to others.
Peace, friends,
Laura Bachynski
www.laurabachynski.com
