I drove past the shopping mall near my house today and noticed that all of the big, beautiful pine trees were gone. Later I read in the newspaper that it’s part of a “modernization” plan, a remodeling that’s supposed to update the mall’s look—new lights, new signs and tall palm trees in place of the pines.

I miss them already. We sometimes sat under those trees for an impromptu family picnic after church. When our children were little, they loved to roll down the grassy hills. The word sometimes makes me sad; why didn’t we enjoy this majestic gift from God more often? I guess we figured those trees would be there forever and there was plenty of time to enjoy them. Now, too late, we’ve discovered there wasn’t.

That’s true of all natural resources, but especially the most precious— the people in my life. I think of my friends at a nearby retirement home where I teach a class once a month. I’ll think, I should stop by in between meetings and see how they’re doing, but then I get busy and don’t do it. Like those majestic trees, one day these wonderful friends will be gone and I’ll wonder why I didn’t enjoy their company more often. Today, before I get started on my to-do list, I think I’ll call my friend Jane, just to say hello. I know it will be time well spent.

Lord, remind me that when I get too busy to spend a moment with a friend, I’m busier than You want me to be.