The Gnarled Gorge Tree…

Psalms 92:12-14

Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA

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This is what I see in the mirror every morning: gnarled, unremarkable, weathered, haphazard, alone, vulnerable, old. But also: tested, still standing, reaching for the sun. And if you look closely: an inkling of another Spring.

My usual exercise route runs east along the Columbia River into the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge. From where I start, it’s 3.1 miles to the fence that marks private property again. Out and back gives me exactly 6.21 miles (10K).

The tree is 2.5 miles in. It stands alone in a flat, wide open field. As I take this picture, the Columbia River comes from behind and runs by me on my left, heading out to sea. If I turn around, I will be facing the Gorge. On clear days—which have been rare these past months—a majestic view of Mt. Hood.

With each passing year living in the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge, my admiration for the tree grows. The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Gorge? It used to be: spectacular views… salmon & sea lions… awesome hiking trails… lavender fields & picking cherries. But now… it’s the winds.

The winds run east to west out of the Gorge, roaring with a force that is overpowering… incessant. During our ice storms this winter, we had incredible wind gusts, at times approaching hurricane strength. A lot of huge trees across the region came down.

I don’t understand how my tree is still standing… alone, unprotected, nothing to blunt the direct assault of the winds. Even more amazing, the barely greening tips of its branches are tree-speak for “I’m here for another Spring.”

There are two basic challenges I face on exercise mornings: Motivation and Layers. There are others, but I don’t want to get too personal here.

Motivation

Inertia is a powerful thing. It’s also an incremental thing with age, regardless of activity level. But one thing still holds true: If I make myself get out the door, I rarely get back feeling like I shouldn’t have gone. And I always feel thankful. I have something a lot of people never had or no longer have: l still have the choice to exercise or not. Wouldn’t people who lost the choice wonder why I would squander mine? I don’t leap over tall buildings in a single bound anymore; but I can still walk by them pretty fast without my knees hurting.

Layers

How to dress can still feel like a guessing game. I could get out in nearly any weather… except an ice storm. Yes, I check the temperature. But I always check wind speed and gusts too. Anything over 20 mph with gusts of 30…? I should probably think about staying home. The temperature could look reasonable, but the wind chill factors into how I should dress. How well I prepare takes the worry out of the walk.

Still, unpredictability slaps me down from time to time. A few weeks ago, I headed east along the river again… gray, foggy, breezy, 40°F., comfortably dressed…  out of nowhere, a roar behind me that sounded like a few jets taking off together… a driving wind carrying swirling, face-biting hail. Less than 10 minutes later it was back to normal, but I was soaked to the bone and ice cold. It felt like the longest walk ever back to the car.

SIX MONTHS

March 23rd - 6 months already since Carol’s departure for heaven. The first 6 months is a unique season, to say the least, isn’t it? Climbing out the other end of this valley is a topic worthy of its own post.

I hope it’s easy to see the parallels I’m building with the Gnarled Gorge Tree… Psalm 1 and the believer deeply rooted in Christ… against all odds, bearing up to any kind of weather, and facing any unpredictability life throws at us.

“They are planted in the house of the LORD…; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,” (Psa 92:13-14, ESV)

So… just for today, I’m thankful for an inkling of another Spring coursing through my veins.

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Prayer Request:

I have a short trip to Mexico scheduled for next month (April, 2024). The pandemic season affected us all. It eventually overlapped with Carol’s health situation, which also made travel impossible. It’s been too long since I have been with family, friends, and my spiritual family in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

I will be preaching, conversing, eating and having coffee with as many as time will allow. It will also be a time for organizing a next time… possibly in June. There are people, missions and church groups that will be new to me. I so look forward to meeting everyone!