Well, it will be my window for two more sleeps as I prep to return to the Crossroads Library in Prague for 33 more sleeps, then back to US. The tree stands out (or more accurately – up) in the urban landscape of Berlin (to the right of window frame).
Here’s how it looked the day I arrived. I could tell the time each morning, based on this tree and the angle of light, that is, until the time-change last weekend which is one week ahead of US clocks. If I woke up in the night, stirred by a need to rise or stirred by worry, it has been my companion. I have two, about 14-feet, Japanese maples at my home and have missed the leaves changing but those are small losses compared to having an opportunity to spend retirement with a purpose. The song I woke up to this morning has these lines, “Take my life, and let it be Consecrated Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move, At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee”. There are many more beautiful verses I had not recalled (until I looked it up) on giving my silver and gold, my will, and my love. This giving your life to God is not a part-time gig. It is not like the circus rolling into town for a Sunday show then the tents and all else fall on a Monday morning. Let’s not be those guys. And don’t think going on a mission’s trip is all that either. It’s full of adventure, challenge, and sometimes selfish ambition that people will think you are ‘advanced’ in your faith – hogwash. We are all just asking God to make us less like the world and more like Him, wherever we spend the day. He has promised that ‘they’ (the world) will know Him by our love. I love this tree and the people under its shade, and the lessons learned. (Song title, Take my life, and let it be, by Paul Baloche and lyrics by Frances R. Havergal, written 1874 on the topic of consecration and submission).