I may be gnarled and knotted by the years
I have been weathered and beaten by the elements
My forlorn shape may speak of all my fears
My trunk and branches by age have been bent.
Still I am thankful for all those years
Caressed by the wind and kissed by the sun
The gentle water nearby I always hear
It’s great to be alive, I’m having fun.
At night my leaves fold up to take a rest
I look up the sky to be blessed by the stars
My present moment is always the best
For my past is gone and tomorrow is still afar.
Indeed I am grateful for my here and now
My knots and gnarls are a record of my past
My leaves and fruits are from my tomorrow
But it is my today where my eternity will last.
And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-19