There was a large tree in our backyard that was dying. It was clear. There was a wound on one side of the bottom of the trunk which continued to grow.

Death was a when not an if. 

We decided that keeping our roof intact was worth saying goodbye to this otherwise wonderful tree. Shocking, I know. Sounds obvious, but it was sad to have to choose to cut down a tree of its size.

It was massive. How old was it? How many residents of the house had it known?

After our tree friend was dismantled branch by branch and then chunk by chunk, all that remained was a low stump. The rings inside were exposed.

Each ring tells a story about the tree. Some are thicker than others. Circumstances and the environment have an impact on what each ring looks like. 

The cross-section gave a glimpse into a lifetime.

So it is with us. Each year we live adds another ring to our story. Some are robust, full of abundance and celebration. Others are lacking, showing signs of weathering some storms. Some rings we want to remember because of the sweetness they held. Others we want to forget, move on, and, if it were possible, remove.

Either way, each year, or ring, is part of the makeup of who we are.

So, the Lord has given us a ring. We are currently living through the celebrations and circumstances which contribute to the character of the ring and this chapter of our story. 

With this ring…

How would you complete the sentence? How have you seen the Lord be faithful? What’s been hard? 

Regardless, it’s a ring we’ve been given. Let’s do our best to wear it well.