Upon further review, I realize that an integral part of the tree is its leaves. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and there are many different views on what exactly that means. One part of the answer is that God is relational and so we are created to be relational. In being relational I believe we can project an image of who God is. You see the problem in the sentence, "We chase after relationships like a child after a leaf in the wind, when all we need is the tree itself," is not the leaf, its the wind, its the chasing after. If we enjoy the tree, if we enjoy God, if we delight in Him the leaves will be handed over to us to be enjoyed also. Relationships with people are not bad, but they certainly cannot be prioritized above our relationship with the sturdy "tree", our solid God. Amazing what one learns when one takes time to ponder life and its mysteries.

By the way, who reads this anymore? I mean, I get like five hits a day! Since I stopped around Easter I knew people didn't read it, but now that it is back... Anyway, email me if you read this. I really would like to know who you folks are. Thanks. Shalom. you have my love.