Weekly Reflection 10th March 2024

 

Reflection

 

My brother sent me through this picture on Saturday of him and the Sycamore Gap Tree.  As someone with a life-long keen interest in the natural world he was delighted to hear the news that saplings and seedlings had been grown from the Sycamore Gap Tree that stood in a dip along Hadrian’s Wall. 

The National Trust didn’t hold out much hope of success given the time of year. But with diligence and skill they have manged to ensure that the tree continues to live on through these seedlings and saplings.

The link with Prison Fellowship Home - Prison Fellowship and their own Sycamore Tree Course has many echoes.  The Sycamore Gap Tree was subject to a random criminal activity that destroyed the tree and the pleasure that it had brought to many thousands of people.

The Sycamore Tree Course seeks to get those in prison to recognise the ‘damage’ they have done with ripples that spread way beyond those immediately affected.

There may be those who think that any hope a ‘new life’ is impossible.  However, with dedication and skill, restoration and new life can arise. There is always hope.

I would like to think, and I would imagine, that we will be hearing more about these seedlings and saplings as they are planted out. Maybe we could use the news of these plantings as a focus for prayer for the Sycamore Tree Course and for any Courses or individuals involved in the Course that we might know of. 

If you are not familiar with the Sycamore Tree Course follow this link for more information. 

sycamore tree - Prison Fellowship

Jesus said, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ John 12.24