Small wonders…
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
John 6:8-14 NIV
The Lord likes small things best, especially those done with love.
Mother Teresa
Sometimes little things in nature inspire me because there are times that I feel small…like what can I do that can really make a difference in this world? So today we turn again to look at Bristlecone Pine Trees, the oldest single living tree organism and amazing in so many ways.
Though I had planted a bristlecone pine years earlier, it wasn’t until I visited the Ancient Bristlecone Forest that I learned many interesting and unusual facts about the trees. When I look at the Bristlecone Pine in my backyard now, it always gives me pause. Today we will look at those little one to one & a half inch needles that are small marvels.
First of all, the needles are incredibly long lived, lasting from 10 to 40 plus years per needle! That means that many of the needles on that tree will far outlast me! By having long lasting needles, the tree does not have thick fire prone piles of dead needles beneath it. The tree also does not have to waste energy growing new needles every spring.
The needles grow around the limb in a thick manner so that the tree looks like it’s covered in deep green natural bottle brushes. Packed so closely together, they maximize energy production while buffering the harsh winds that are so prevalent in their high elevation home and shield the tree trunk from the sun’s brutal ultraviolet radiation.
The leaves, another word for the needles, are covered in a waxy coating so as to not lose as much water. They also have little resin dots on them which help repel insect pests, act as a physical and chemical barrier to fungus & bacteria, and help keep the tree from freezing.
As if all that wasn’t enough, like all trees, the leaves (needles) photosynthesize daily, providing enough oxygen for 2 to 4 people per year and cooling surrounding areas by transpiration. Finally, trees filter air pollutants out of the atmosphere, as much as 300 cars annual emissions per tree. Filtering out pollution also lowers asthma rates of people blessed enough to live in a forested or wooded area.
So when you are feeling small and like you can’t really make much of a difference, think of the bristlecone pines and its mighty little needles. Think of the small boy in the Bible reference, who shared his lunch which Jesus then used to multiply to feed thousands of people! In today’s world, people share time and energy to benefit others in so many ways.
Maybe you can’t wield a hammer to go help build a home for Habitat for Humanity, but sometimes the simplest things can make a huge difference. Listening to someone who needs to have a caring ear. Taking a meal to a family who has a member dealing with health issues. Watching someone’s house plants while they are out of town. So today, be small but mighty!