The Righteous Will Flourish

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree;
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming,
“The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 92:12-15


Here are some facts I learned about the palm tree:

· (Heb. tamar ) – the date palm. The palm tree
· frequently attains a height of 80 feet, but more commonly 40-50
· bears fruit after it has been planted six or eight years, and
· continues productivity for a century.
· trunk is straight, tall and unbroken
· crowned with emerald-green plumes
· leaves frequently reach 20 feet in length
· whispers musically in a breeze.
· it is a beautiful and useful tree.
· fruit-daily food of millions
· sap-wine
· fibers-woven into ropes and rigging
· tall stem-valuable timber
· leaves-made into brushes, mats, bags, couches and baskets.
· The, striking appearance of the tree, its uprightness and beauty, would naturally suggest the giving of its name occasionally to women (Tamar).

Psalms 92 pictures the righteous as a palm tree
· straight growth
· fruitfulness
· perpetual greenness
· height
· fruit-as far as possible from earth and as near as possible to heaven.
· elasticity of the fiber of the palm
· its determined growth upward even when loaded with weights.
· bears fruit well into old age
· palm a symbol of victory and peace

Now, this should greatly encourage those of us over 50!

Elder Wisdom

The first time I met my uncle-in-law, I was slightly underwhelmed. Although pleasant, Uncle S bragged constantly about his two children, one of whom worked for NASA.
Each visit included a detailed rundown of their latest achievements. I found his bragging boring and slightly annoying. Soon, I dreaded any family gathering that involved Uncle S.
However, time and wisdom changed my perspective—and attitude. Uncle S’ motto was: Learn something new every day.
He took a mill job right out of high school so his higher education came in the form of voracious reading. He read in English and Polish keeping his mind active and productive all his long life.
I never heard Uncle S complaining over health, or the unfairness of life. I never saw him without a wide smile on his face. He was too busy learning and growing.
Without realizing it, I adopted Uncle S’s motto: Learn something new every day. I read. I write. I’m working on two foreign languages as well as sign. My late uncle-in-law is my example and inspiration.
Thank you, Uncle S.