A Lenten Devotion by Janet Sanders
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32
The first time I went to Charleston, South Carolina, my friend and I visited islands written about by a native author, Dorothea Benten Frank. Her stories take place on islands that surround Charleston. It was fun to see and feel the area she so vividly describes in the books. We took a tour of Middleton Plantation, and learned about the planting and harvesting of rice by the slaves. The property also had fields of camellia trees which were in bloom. Our last stop was John’s Island to see the Angel Oak that my friend said was a must see. This tree is estimated to be between 400-500 years old, located on the property of Justus and Martha Angel, hence the name Angel Oak.
As I stood under the enormous branches so many thoughts and questions popped into my mind. Did this magnanimous tree grow just by some random acorn or was it planted by someone? I wonder how many birds sought refuge from danger or built nests over the years. Imagine how many storms and hurricanes it has survived over the years. Did slaves sit under this tree and dream of freedom? The conversations the tree must have overheard when the South was planning their stand for slavery. If only the tree could share these stories.
The Angel Oak reminds me of the mustard seed Parable. The seed is planted by Jesus, which grows in the form of faith. Faith grows in the field into a tree. The birds came to rest in the tree of faith. Today we are resting in the Angel Oak, rooted in Jesus, to stay safe, protected in the branches. Amen