A Hand in Every Tree

I don't know how you and your family spend the first day of the year, but in 2021, mine spent 3 hours mapping out a family tree with all our relatives and extended family members. I'll be the first to admit that whenever Chinese New Year comes around (which is soon!), I always forget who we are seeing, what to call them (in Chinese, titles are different depending on which side of the family they're on and if they are older or younger in respect to other family members - it isn't just mere "auntie" and "uncle"), and most importantly how they are related to us. In my defence though, we usually only see them just once a year. I've tried different memory tricks to remember who's who but alas, no success. 

The three hours included calling close family in attempts to track down names (chinese names, english names and nicknames), country of residences and any standout notes (one of them is actually a professional and competitive ballroom dancer!) as well as digging up old photos and books to connect names to a face.  

When our tree was complete, it was just amazing to see all the links and ties laid out and all the dots connected. It was fascinating to see the generations and lines coming from each of many siblings. To be talked through who was who, who are believers and who are not before spending time in prayer for them. This was merely one family tree of the hundreds and thousands of "trees" we pass by and interact with everyday at the grocery store or on the highway. 

And God has his sovereign hand in every member of every tree. It is hard to wrap your head around God's personal intervention in each person's individual life, as he orchestrates every moment, trial, and success - and it all comes from the gracious and good hand of God. Whether they know it or not! No one is overlooked and no one is forgotten. 

PSALM 8:4-9 //

What is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honour.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under his feet,

all sheep and oxen, 

and also beasts of the field,

the birds of the heavens, the fish in the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!