"tree, golan heights, Israel, 2011"

My good friend Terry Rappuhn is also a breast cancer survivor. One day a few years ago over lunch, she pointed out the window and said, "See that tree over there. It grows tall to the heavens to bring glory to God. It doesn't rush around to get to a next meeting, drive the kids to soccer practice or clean house. That tree brings glory to God just by existing. We need to be more like that tree: just our existence brings glory to God."

"The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it."  Daniel 4:11-12