This past month I gave a talk on Loving Others. When asked to give a short personal story tied into the relevant biblical narrative, a proverb came to me:
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
-Proverbs 15:4
When my mother was on her journey to recovery in the United States, I would return frequently to our ancestral home in Mexico. While reconnecting with family among abundant tacos, a cousin, uncle, or aunt would without fail give me a tree of life as a gift for my mother. This small colorful ceramic artifact could fit in the palm of one’s hand. Shaped with branches and leaves and Adam and Eve, these little things are a reminder to its owner that someone is praying for you.
Returning to the United States this past November, the sentry asked me in Spanish if I had anything to declare. I replied, Un árbol de vida para mi mama. As the words left my lips I witnessed a shift in the eyes of the sentry. She and I exchanged smiles knowing the greater border of heaven and earth was being breached by the little tree I was declaring.
Bienvenidos Señor, she replied to me.
The proverb I shared above in Spanish and Latin would literally translate to: The tongue that brings alleviation is a tree of life. Or otherwise noted in the NVI: the sane tongue is a tree of life. As Saint James would later write: The orations of the just are powerful and effective.
In every age, our world has been invaded by insanity. Deception at the garden has become our garden variety of depravity. Everyone eats from the deadly tree. But the gentle words we share with one another are a taste of the way the garden was supposed to be. Though we have been cast out of Eden we may still enjoy the fruits of the living tree. Speak gentle words of sane relief to one another and become yourselves living trees.
Until next week,
-Steven
A special thank you to all of you who are subscribed to this newsletter. While my return to weekly publishing will not be until Spring, the book is coming…
Loved seeing you today Steven. You are gentle indeed.
Árboles de vida are beautiful folk art pieces. I've seen them sold at home goods stores here... Here's hoping those who purchase them will discover their meaning and be inspired. Thank you for sharing this piece with us. All the best to you as you write the book.