By Rev. Tim Krick
I grew up in an older home without air conditioning. We had two large sets of bay windows in the living room and in summer, it would get quite warm when the sun beat through. An old oak tree in the backyard provided a fair amount of shade in that room, which helped on the hottest days.
One summer, a tremendous storm damaged the tree, and it had to be cut down. It was only then we realized how much of a difference that oak tree made on the temperature inside the house during those summer months.
It didn’t take long for us to plant a new tree. We couldn’t plant a full-grown tree and instead we bought something that was more like a big stick with a few leaves. The shade was not coming back anytime soon.
My parents later moved, well before the new tree was anywhere close to mature. On a recent trip back home, I drove past the house. Twenty years later, the tree was no longer “a big stick” but well on its way to being full grown and providing the type of shade I remember.
I thought, “I bet the people who live there now are grateful we planted that tree.”
That tree makes me think of a quote, “Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” It makes me think of you, our faithful supporters.
You are giving a gift to others, acting in faith to help provide shade from the harsh realities of the world, for a neighbor you will never meet.
Our mission in the church is not to exist for ourselves, but for the sake of the world.
As we celebrate 80 years of Lutheran World Relief, I am grateful to you, and all those who have gone before us, for living out your faith in this way — and for planting trees from whose shade others will benefit.
Interested in leaving your footprint in the future and ensuring your love continues to reach neighbors in need for years to come? Visit lwr.org/will.