Transplant

Sugar Maple-Exotic Ornamental in BC

Strange.

I grew up in the northeast USA.  It is the region to which sugar maples are native.  But most of the photos I have of sugar maple leaves are from British Columbia, where it is planted as a non-native ornamental.

Native Range of Sugar Maple
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/acer/saccharum.jpg

It is interesting how some things can be  planted so far from their native habitat and yet thrive.  It could be the favorable environmental conditions, the genetic makeup of the individual plant or a combination of the two that makes it possible for a plant to be alive and healthy so far from home.

We, too, are living like exotic transplants far from our native lands and cultures.  How is it that we can thrive under these conditions?

Part of our thriving here is due to the environment.  The climate is generally nice (except for smoke season).  I enjoy being near the mountains.  The people are generally nice.  The food is good.

I think our "genetic" makeup helps us to thrive as well.  We enjoy exotic places and things, having been brought up in families that traveled a lot, either as part of vacations (my family) or migration (my wife's family). (Though I admit I took a pass on the partly gestated egg we were served in Hanoi last week.)

But I can't say we are thriving in all aspects of our lives at all times here. Sometimes things related to work can make life a bit difficult (today has been been one of those days) and a such times, seeing a picture of a sugar maple leaf with its fall clothes on can make me a bit homesick.

Sugar Maple in it's Natural Range in Connecticut

But then, even back in North America, life wasn't always idyllic or easy.  And I have to remember that I am just a sojourner in this world.  I get to spend perhaps a few score years here before going to my real home.  And if I am going to thrive in this world, then I need to keep an eternal perspective.

Peter writes: "Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul." 1 Peter 2:11 (MSG)

We are strangers in this world, but by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we can still thrive.  And while life as an exotic transplant may sometimes be stressful due to being in a different environment, still, like that sugar maple growing in British Columbia,  we can bring beauty wherever we are.

I am reminded of a hymn, which, interestingly, I first learned in Haitian Creole.  Even to this day I sometimes find myself singing the tune in that language.  

The World Is Not My Home

This world is not my home I'm just a-passin' through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

     Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you
     If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
     The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
     And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

I have a loving mother just over in glory land
And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Just over in glory land we'll live eternally
The saints on every hand are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

© 1937, Ren. 1965 Albert E. Brumley and Sons

Or, if you prefer the version I first learned:

Le Monn Se Pa Lakay Mwen

1.

Le monn se pa lakay mwen,

Nan syèl la m prale

Trezò mwen ak kè mwen

Anwo yo tout fikse

Mwen tande zanj yo

K’ap rele mwen ale la

E mwen pa kab santi’m

Twòp alèz isiba

Refren/Kè (Refrain)

Jezi ou konnen, ou se sèl zanmi mwen

Si ou pa pran’m nan syèl,

O Seyè sa m’ap fè?

Mwen tande zanj yo k’ap rele mwen ale la

E mwen pa kab santi’m twòp alèz isi-ba 

2.

Mwen konnen mwen pa diy (dign),

Mwen se yon vil pechè

Men mwen gen tout espwa’m

Ke Jezi se sovè’m

Se Jezi kite mouri

Sou lebwa kalvè

E li te sove nanm mwen pou letènite 

3.

Mwen gen kèk byenneme

ki devanse’m deja

Yo nan bra de Jezi,

E y-ape tann mwen la

Mwen gen pou rete,

Lite kon yon bon sòlda

Men Jezi, lè ou rele’m,

M-a vin avèk jwa