Up, and up, and up goes the big old tree,

Me and my dad were hunting in the woods beside the sea.

In the forest, ‘twas a grove of trees as tall as towers.

We saw a path and did the math: a hundred trees of power.

The path of flowers led our way to the middle of the group.

We saw a ditch, and I must say, it through us for a loop.

It was a hole, a perfect circle, twenty or so feet deep,

But in it was the largest tree, the strongest and most steep.

My dad said, “wow,” and I said, “woo!” “Buddy, look at that tree!”

We gradually slid down to see what this sight could be.

Ninety feet in diameter with dark purple and green hue,

“How old is that tree,” I asked my dad. “I’m not sure, but it’s older than me and you!”

We walked around in its shade

Up the steps that its roots made.

Until we saw a carving in its bark,

It seemed as though it glowed as the sun erased all dark.

We touched the carving, and we heard a rumble at the floor,

The creaking tree in front of me revealed to us a door!

It opened wide, we went inside, and the sun’s light filled its center.

We couldn’t tell what once did dwell in the tree that we just entered!

Whatever it was was very clean, and the beautiful wooden stairs

Circled the circumference going up and up - but to where?

There were decks and carvings; there were paintings and old books too.

We wondered how long since its starting, and how in the world could they do

Such a wonderful tree house design right here in the woods beside the sea?

My dad and I climbed up high, and ever since he’s been adding on to this treehouse with me.

At the top we found a chest that seemed to be of gold!

Inside it was a diamond nest of riches untold!

In the chest we found a note that was written for

The finder of the tree and the finder of its door:

“It is my hope, it is my prayer

That one will do what’s right

With the treasure you’ve found there;

For money can be might,

But might does not make right.

I lived alone in these woods as long as I can remember;

I didn’t know my folks, and I never had a neighbor.

I found the treasure but couldn’t trade,

Since I had no one at all.

I hope the reader of this can say that they aren’t lonely like me, old Arthur Paul.

I discovered the treasure in the roots of this tree in 1589.

After years of rich loneliness, at a later time, I found a contentment divine.

And now I wish to share with you the treasure of greatest price,

The only treasure that lasts forever and gives eternal life:

His name is Jesus Christ.

Don’t place your trust in what will rust;

Rest in, rely on, and trust in Him.

He will heal and fill your heart,

And you’ll have limitless treasure within!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

- Ephesians 1:3

“I will give you the treasures of darkness
and hidden riches of secret places,
that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who calls you by your name,
even the God of Israel.”

- Isaiah 45:3

“For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”

- Colossians 2:1-3

We paid off the mortgage, made the old tree house into a bonafide house, and gave much of our new-found resources to help others in need.

We recently experienced the truth of what Jesus said long ago, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”