Family Tree

Behind my house, in my back yard is a maple tree. It is no ordinary maple tree. It is enormous! It is behind our two-stall garage and it extends far above and far to both sides. It is enormous - well, not compared to a Redwood tree . . . which is truly enormous - but compared to normal Michigan Maple trees, this one is enormous.

In - or more accurately on - it's branches are carved the names of my family members. When my youngest brother was about nine years old, he climbed this tree (which was then in our grandparent's back yard) and carved the names of all his family members on the branches.

When my son was about nine years old, he climbed this enormous tree, discovered the names and added the names of his generation of family members to the branches of the tree.

Today I'm remembering how several years ago two of my grands climbed this enormous tree - with the help of their poppa as they were only four and seven years old at the time. They were too young to have a pocket knife and carve more names on the branches, but they were amazed to discover all the names on the tree.

It is actually a "family tree"!

As I thought about this I remembered Isaiah 49:16 where God talks about having our names engraved on the palms of His hands. I know He never forgets me - or my grandchildren ever, because He loves us with an everlasting and faithful love! With all the things going on in our country and world, I needed this reminder today.

Yes, I have a family tree, and I have a tree with the names of my family engraved on it's branches, but the best place for our names to be, is on God's palms, and in His heart.