The birds and the trees

I have many friends, but only a few I count among my best.
One best friend, in particular, I have thought about more recently.
She is a wife and a mother.
Like most marriages, they have had their struggles.
Like many of us, they work through them as they work together and rely on a loving Heavenly Father for strength and guidance.
They have endured and succeeded. There is no doubt that they love each other.

Last night, a had a dream about this friend.
He was a tree, she was a bird.

The tree needed this bird. She ate the bugs, nurtured it and kept it healthy.
The bird needed this tree. He provided her with safety and shelter.
Together, the met each others needs and kept each other happy.
They loved each other, deeply.

For whatever reason, this tree had deep seated roots.
For other reasons, this bird loved to take flight often.
Sometimes, the bird cannot understand why the tree could not follow her when she wanted to fly.
Other times, the tree cannot understand why the bird loved to go so much.

In spite of a storm or two, this bird and the tree have always remained strong and sure.
They have always come to realize their devotion to each other and more importantly
they have humbled themselves enough to realize each others differences and embraced them…
because these differences are a part of who they are.

These differences are what attracted them to each other.
These differences are what makes them stronger as a couple, 
They grow together and become better, as they draw from each others strengths.

What this dream taught me is this:

This tree must love this bird, simply because she is a bird.
This bird must love this tree, simply because he is a tree.
This, is the Pure Love of Christ.

"The pure love of Christ.... What does this phrase mean? We find part of the answer in Joshua: 'Take diligent heed... to love the Lord your God... and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.' Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding for one another....
"Charity is also the Lord's love for us, shown through His acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding.
"The 'pure love of Christ' refers not only to our love for the Savior but to His love for each of us....
"Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better?"

Bonnie D. Parkin