How often do we think about how our actions today will affect someone else in the future?
I can get so caught up in the here and now — crossing off all the things on my To Do list that I accomplished — that the future encompasses only a few days from now, and not much further. Oh, sure, I’m aware of some major dates:
- my son’s visit in April with his wonderful girlfriend
- my book deadline on May 1 and my book release on May 8 — those two are close!
- birthdays, anniversaries, and even when my 17-year-old daughter’s Jr/Sr Banquet is (because it’s on my birthday)
But it’s all too rare that I think of how something I do or something I say might encourage someone years from now — provide them “shade,” so to speak.
It’s true, I could go out in my backyard and dig a hole and plant a tree that, years from now, would provide shade for my family — children and grandchildren and so on down the years. Or I could, given the advantage, invest wisely and provide financial “shade” for my family in the future. I’m sure they’d appreciate that, too.
But what else could I plant now that would offer “shade” — rest, refreshment, encouragement, protection — to people that I love years from now?
- Memories filled with laughter, perhaps?
- Thoughts about my faith journey recorded in my Bible, along with underlined verses?
- Notes or letters sent now or maybe put aside for my family to find later that express my love for them, my respect for them, my hopes and dreams for them?
I want to be mindful of how I use today and tomorrow … but I also want to consider what I’m planting now, and how I’m providing shade for my family in years to come.
In Your Words: How has someone planted and provided shade in your life? How are you provided shade for someone in the future?
In Others' Words: Planning and Planting for Shade in Years to Come https://wp.me/p63waO-2AF #quotes #perspective Click To Tweet 'Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.' #quote by Warren Buffet https://wp.me/p63waO-2AF #encouragement Click To Tweet
Comments 11
That’s another great and true quote. I love planting trees others will benefit from. I have a now 8-yr.-old peach tree growing in my MS yard that my grandkids also love, although they might not be here to in its fruit-bearing season. We are also shaded by the non-tangible trees of belief, love, traditions that older family members plant. I had a very Christian great-grandmother that blessed and grounded me exponentially. I was the oldest-great grandchild and had great times with her. I can’t be more thankful.
Author
Dee: I know you understand the value of creating shade for generations to come, especially the shade of prayer. I hadn’t thought of that until I read your answer and considered all the ways you’ve shaded me and my family through the years … and I know that reaches into the future, too.
Love this, Beth.
Literally, we lost a lot of trees in Hurricane Irma last fall, including a very old and large live oak in our front yard. The loss of shade from that tree and the damaged trees that line our drive is dramatic. It won’t restored in our lifetime, but we are doing our best to preserve and nurture what trees remains for the future.
More importantly, I’ve seriously been contemplating those “non-tangible trees” Doris mentions above. None of our grandchildren live near us. Within the past two months, especially with the two oldest boys, who are likely going to outgrow their desire to spend as much time with me as they do now, I’ve added writing letters to my grandchildren to my schedule of weekly tasks. I would have loved for a grandparent to invest in me when I was younger.
Author
Patricia:
Oh, to think of the loss of those trees because of the hurricane. We went through Hurricane Opal when we lived in Florida and we lost trees that shaded our home, too. My husband grieved the loss of one ancient tree especially …
I love that you are writing letters to your grandchildren. What a legacy you are leaving them. And I know your photographs will be precious shade to them, too, my friend.
I love your idea of writing letters to your grandchildren. I don’t have any yet, but what a wonderful thing to do. I will be filing this idea away so that I can use it when the time comes.
I have not considered, too, that my prayer journals may become shade trees long after I’m gone. I only know that I don’t want them reading them right now…LOL!
Author
Lori: I do think prayer journals an any kinds of notes/underlinings that I make in my Bible could become spiritual shade for future generations. 🙂
The tree of Love, planted through our hearts and deeds, is the only one whose roots will withstand the floods of time’s river, and in whose blessing of shade the weary traveler can find relief.
Author
So true, Andrew. And the tree of Love can be of many varieties, right? <3
Yes!
An excellent thing to think upon. I prayed on this very thing last week. Why am I reluctant to start something just because I may not see it completed in my own life? Selfishness was pretty much the answer I found. And now your post, perfectly timed!
Author
Interesting perspective, Lori — but yes, we do have to think about others first in long-term perspective to provide shade for them.