I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant…to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.—Genesis 17:7 (NIV)

I drove home from our county’s tree sale, smiling as waxy red leaves tickled my right ear and shoulder. I couldn’t wait to plant my four-foot-tall scarlet oak. Growing up in upstate New York, I could see the Vermont hills from my bedroom window. I loved the way the bright autumn reds, oranges, and yellows sparkled against the deep evergreens. After thirty years in central Indiana, I still miss those saturated colors. 

I studied my county’s list of native trees for sale; many offerings read “dull yellowish green fall color.” Ugh. Then I found the scarlet oak! Our wide front yard would be perfect for its shade in hot summers and its brilliant leaves in the fall. 

Several friends asked me why I would plant a tree that would take decades to reach its full size. I replied with my favorite Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” 

When I told my friend Kathy of my plans, she replied with a story of her own. “Remember when I went to the Holy Land with that group from our church? Our tour guide in the Mount of Olives said their olive groves are planted so that their children and grandchildren can harvest the fruit.” Like faith itself, the trees are a gift to future generations, one that will help nourish them through times we can’t imagine. 

My husband dug the hole for what he called my “twig.” I staked its narrow trunk. I lovingly tucked mulch around it. I water it faithfully. I named our tree Mighty Oak.