Even if I knew the Lord was coming tomorow...

...I would plant a tree today.

That's how I usually paraphrase the famous quote from Martin Luther. The actual quote as found on the Internet: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

The sentiment of the statement gives a fairly positive framework for living with uncertainity. Be spiritually prepared for anything but live as if you will be here forever. Without that spark of hope one lives in limbo, unable to plan for the future. Without an ability to look forward we cannot anticipate growth. And an unwillingness to look beyond the moment, limits our ability to leave anything of worth for the next generation should the Lord tarry or the world go to pieces.

Today Thomas planted a tree. Our tree of choice, a clump river birch. Three thin trunks come out of the root ball. Already the bark peels as it should, and the new leaves are beginning to sprout.

After 2 1/2 hours of work the tree stands alone.

Thomas dug the hole, 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep; filled it with water hauled directly from the rain barrel; then rolled the tree off the bed of the pick-up tuck and into the prepared hole. It did not take long for the birds to find this new perch. We perched on the porch and watched until the first bird lit on a branch.