Evergreen Cont

A prime example of Secondary Succession were the forest fires of 1988 in Yellowstone. When the fire occurred, trees like the “Lodgepole pines quickly rebounded” because the tree contains serotinous cones that open up and bear seeds after a fire takes place (“Succession”). In that moment of taking notes, I realized that I was like the Lodgepole pines. Jesus had saved me from myself, for his love was a consuming fire. Rushing waves of his undying love drenched me in light and I would too, bear seeds again.

For my ENG-111 class in spring semester 2021, the class was assigned an attention-grabbing and startling essay by former author and poet, June Jordan. Throughout Jordan’s short essay “Many Rivers to Cross,” she developed themes of lateness, hardship, and death. Her mother’s death was at the forefront of her writing, but beneath the surface lied her own death to self. At the closing of her essay, she thanked all of the women in her life with an “everlasting thanks” to whom she accredited helped “[her] stay alive” while she was “working never to be late again” (241). Like Jordan, I too died to myself. I was moving forward, and no hardship could stop me from bearing fruit.

It was through the hellfire of my life that God would refine every inch of my existence to plant seeds of life. Flames of his glory beamed from my now transformed heart. I would continue to catch fire, but that was good. This is because life is evergreen in the loving arms of God. His love withstood the matches I threw unto my soul. It was by his consuming fire that he was able to make beauty from my ashes, and enrich me with everflowing life and prosperity. I was no longer afraid of dying, I now knew that life could come from barren land.

Be You!

Christani

Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina

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