Our Giving Tree

by Heather Tietz

She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

I love the story “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. This simple children’s tale conveys a beautiful visual of unconditional love through the simple relationship between a boy and a tree.

The tree is old and wise when the two become friends. The tree enjoys the boy’s company and lavishes on him whatever she is able. She becomes his swing, his ladder, his shade, his snack. When he grows older she offers her branches for a house, her trunk for a boat, and finally her lonely stump for a place to sit and think. The tree fervently loves the boy. The boy, in turn, has little to give this great tree but his company.

Perhaps in the grand spectrum of eternity, we are much like the boy. We are little more than the company for a great God who gives and gives. Like the tree, He too gave the best of His own, He gave His Son. We owe our lives, our listening ears, our words, our adoring hearts, our eternal company back to Him.