Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, January 26, 2024
Almost exactly a year ago, on a walk through our neighborhood, I noticed this intriguing sight. A newish-looking backyard fence had been thoroughly embraced by the vine-like branches of a nearby tree.
To me, this is a very emotional picture. Both the fence and the tree are made of wood. Sometime back, the fence was also a tree, but was taken against its will, sliced up into boards, and made to stand lifelessly in a row with other boards to provide privacy for a householder.
But the living tree has taken notice of it, and has firmly interwoven its branches in a tender embrace.
I know I’m going ‘way overboard (pun not intended but personally enjoyed!) to put human qualities upon fence and tree, but this scene reminds me of how delightfully a church congregation can reach out and accept those whose backgrounds are very different. I’ve spent many years in our own church watching as people have reached across cultural differences and other potential dividers to form fast friendships.
Through its stories and advice, the Bible has quite a bit to say about various kinds of intertwining. Check out the verses in the following links.
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/acceptance
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/reconciliation
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/friendship