Our friends, the Kline’s

Today is the day that Carol and George left San Antonio, and Kris, to go back to Florida to take care of some personal things.  We knew it was going to be very difficult for them.  Don called them just as they were watching San Antonio disappear in their rear view mirror. Carol was still crying. 

“I can’t seem to stop crying,” she said. 

I can’t even imagine how hard that must be for them.  Don prayed with them on the phone and they really appreciated it.  Carol said she had received a poem from a friend in PA, so I found it online.  Carol said it really spoke to her and encouraged her, also.

The Oak Tree

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew