Tree and a Teacup
We’ve likely all heard the expression, “storm in a teacup,” but this storm was a little more than what would be contained in a teacup. The wind blew. The ocean surged. Trees snapped. Power lines exploded. And at least two people lost their lives trying to survive the force of nature’s winds and waves.
In the wake of hurricane Fiona ripping through the Atlantic provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, two unique news items stood out from the repeated reports of flooding, homes lost, downed power lines, and debris clean up. Those two things? A tree, and a teacup.
The red oak tree stood for about 300 years not far down the road from my hometown. The tree was a signal to Bluenosers of the beginning of a roadtrip or a welcome home after a long journey. In her article about the Shubie tree as it was called by locals, or sometimes just the tree, CBC Producer, Ruth Davenport, reported a Facebook post by Staci Cornett saying, “I always felt like it symbolized bravery, strength and solitude to stand tall against the elements. It just goes to show that even the best can break.”
Amanda Dodsworth wrote on Facebook, “My heart is so sad that that tree will never welcome me home again.”
While an iconic tree was battling for its life in Nova Scotia, across the Northumberland Straight on Prince Edward Island another Maritime icon was trembling in its saucer. Located on the island’s north shore, it was known as “Teacup Rock,” and was one of the island’s most photographed rock formations. Said one of the local residents, “Goodbye forever, Teacup Rock. Thanks for all the memories.”
Something that nature itself forms and fashions over the course of hundreds of years, is, by that same force, destroyed in little more than an instant.
What do you do when your best breaks? When the things you’ve known and counted on are suddenly no longer there, where do you turn? Who do you run to?
There’s a song written by Dottie Rambo in 1977 called, “I Go To the Rock.” It’s been recorded by singers from Whitney Houston to the Georgia Mass Choir.
I go to the Rock of my salvation
I go to the Stone the builders rejected
I run to the Mountain and the Mountain stands by me
When the earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend
I go to the Rock.
Other rocks may crumble into the sea under the strain of storm surges. Trees may crack and fall against the force of a mighty wind. But there is one Rock that will never crumble. There is one Tree that will never fall. The Rock is solid. The Tree is rooted and grounded in love. The Tree and the Rock are called, Jesus.