bonsai tree

In my office here at ASU, I have a little bonsai tree sitting next to my computer. I've had this little tree for over a year now, but today I couldn't help but think about the deeper meaning that I see in our connection.

You see, in the beautifully poetic way, this tree and I are very much the same: in being so confined (me in this life, her in that little 4” ceramic pot), both of us so dependant on the life-giving force of water (hers from me, and mine from the living water of the Spirit) and how we both have a purpose in this earth to give life back (she takes my carbon dioxide and gives me back oxygen, and hopefully I am doing the same for the people around me in the spirit... taking spiritual carbon dioxide (bitterness, depression, hopelessness) and letting the Spirit change that to spiritual oxygen (hope, truth, grace).

anyhow....

she died.

Yeah... a couple months ago, I was really overwhelmed with work and unfortunately neglected her.... and she dried up.

I still keep her by my desk, to remind me how important it is to be nourished *every day* by the spirit... or else, my fate will be the same as hers--dried up... stiff... sharp.... and *painful to touch.* The same way we are when we are bitter, negative and full of ourselves; when we are empty of life... and empty of the Spirit.



So... may we always be soft,
and well-watered,
and continually giving back life.