Here is what the letter looked like:
Here is the text of the letter I sent (sorry about the text being so squished…I had to edit the original lesson a bit and minimize spacing to fit most of the devotional):
Dear Friend, I read a lesson about how we can learn about God from the trees! I wanted to share it with you:
"The Bible mentions trees nearly 300 times. Again and again, God compares us to trees, growing up under His care.
ACACIA: The acacia symbolizes reverence, or a holy fear of the Lord. God instructed the Israelites to carve the ark of the covenant out of acacia wood (Exodus 25:10-22). Everything about this tree says, “Stay away!” Its branches are covered with sharp thorns, and its leaves are poisonous. By choosing acacia wood for the box that held the Ten Commandments, God reminded the Israelites to be careful. His holy presence was so powerful that anyone who touched the ark would die. We don’t have arks anymore; Jesus paid the debt for our sins, which allows us to draw close to Him without fear. But it’s always good to remember that we worship the awesome God who made the universe. He is powerful and there is no foe He can’t defeat.
CEDAR: The cedar tree symbolizes strength and magnificence. Kings used it to construct palaces that were meant to last forever. So when Solomon built the Lord’s temple, he chose cedars from Lebanon, the finest wood in the world (1 Kings 5:1-6). Cedars can grow 130 feet high and can live up to 2,000 years! They survive so long because their wood secretes a fragrant oil that is toxic to insects, fungus and disease. Solomon’s temple didn’t stand forever. But with God’s love flowing through us, our impact on those around us can outlast even the mighty cedar.
PALM: The palm frond symbolizes triumph over adversity. When Jesus made the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, the crowds rejoiced and laid palm branches at His feet (John 12:12-13). A welcome sight to the weary traveler, palm trees offer food, shade and the promise of water. But the palm can serve many other purposes as well. Did you know palm fronds can be used to make rope and baskets or that its seeds are food for camels? Every part of the tree is useful and strong. The palm’s roots are able to dig deep underground and search for water, even in the driest places on earth. Jesus is our source of “living water.” He gives us life, no matter what difficulties surround us.
OLIVE: From Genesis to Revelation, the olive tree symbolizes God’s blessings: peace, prosperity, wisdom and honor. Samuel poured olive oil on David’s head to show that God had blessed him (1 Samuel 16:12-13). Compared to majestic cedars, the olive tree looks small and stubby. But when you crush its fruit, you get olive oil. This remarkable liquid is one of the main ingredients in bread and also fuels oil lamps to light up the night. When mixed with fragrant spices, olive oil is used to anoint the heads of priests and kings, dedicating them to lifelong service. In 2 Corinthians 1:21, it says that God has anointed you and me. We have been blessed like kings, but with that blessing comes the the responsibility to serve God with all our hearts."
Love, Hannah
Feel free to copy and paste this letter to your kids also!
