While in Birmingham, we spent a few hours on the land. Photographing stands of trees, walking through the woods, planning our future, praying for God’s grace while we learn to cultivate the small plot of land we now own. This land is covered with pine trees. During storms, these trees bend and sway. Sometimes breaking under the weight of ice and toppling from the force of wind. They are frequently responsible for falling on homes during storms.

We debated the pros and cons of clearing the land of pine, and started researching how they fit into the Alabama ecosystem. I learned that they are much stronger when grouped. Stand alone trees bear the brunt of the wind, but when grouped the wind is divided up so that each tree bears only a share of the force. The worst thing you can do to a pine is to clear your land of all its neighboring trees, leaving it by itself to weather storms.

This idea of being a tree in a forest has popped up in several places over the years. The latest was in Donald Miller’s new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. In it, he talks about what it means to learn to be part of a forest. It’s a beautiful picture of community. One that is often found in nature. God created our ecosystem, and us, to live life together. Together, we are stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. Together, we can withstand discouragement and failure. Together, we can triumph and heal.

I woke up on Monday morning excited to be back in this town, ready to meet with our friends. Excited to be a single tree in a forest.