We spent the past few days at Beaufort West, visiting my new husband's son and his family.
Beaufort West, of course, is situate in the Karoo, which forms the northern part of the Western Cape. The Karoo derives its name from the Khoi word Caro which means dry land. This normally is a very apt description of this area, as it is semi-desert and I have not been there for about 10 years, but I cannot recall ever seeing the Karoo as green and beautiful as this time round.
The dam just outside Beaufort West is full to overflowing and even along the way there are small natural dams of accumulated rain water! What a lovely sight! Wild flowers blooming - white, yellow, orange, blue...really lovely. Eagles being carried by the wind in blinding sunlight...
We thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with the family and I, in particular, was spoilt, as Estè, Leon's wife, has her own small beauty salon, adjacent to the flatlet on their premises, and I was given a manicure, medicure, facial treatment, the works... One could get used to being this spoilt...
When we first arrived it was very hot. The second day the temperature outside was approximately 40 deg. C! We slept in the flatlet adjacent to the salon at night, and because of the heat, we only closed the security gate to the flatlet and left the door wide open.
I woke up to the sound of the birds chirping in the early morning and lay there watching as the day dawned. I could see a number of different types of trees. In the distance was a very tall, straight tree, and a bird settled right at the very top to announce the arrival of the new day.
It suddenly dawned on me that even though that particular tree was planted very firmly in one spot, and had been standing there for probably twenty years or more, it fulfilled God's purpose for its existence 100%. It offered shade to humans, shelter to lots and lots of different birds at the same time, without discriminating against any particular kind of bird, or lizard, beetle, worm, primate, or chameleon, that may be looking for a shelter.
It sent it roots deep into the earth to find moisture to feed itself. It shed it leaves when due, and produced new growth, and fruit, nuts, seeds, or berries in season, providing food also for its inhabitants. It flowered on time, allowing butterflies and bees to also feed from and be productive using its nectar.
All of this without the ability to move if and when its own resources became depleted or having any protection from the elements. No defense if being attacked at all. And even when wounded by branches being cut or torn off, it proceeded to grow ever taller, fulfilling its function, inhaling carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen so necessary to humans to survive....
I was reminded of the Scripture :
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Ps. 1:3
and
"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the
stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jer.
17:8
and
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"The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which
he has planted;" Ps. 104: 16
He, the Lord God, has planted each one of us exactly where He intended for us to fulfil our purpose.
Thank You, Lord God, that we may know and understand that You have a place and a function for each one of us. Help us to understand Your purpose for our lives and to joyfully stand proud to Your glory and honour.
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