Marcescence
I’ve noticed the phenomenon for years. A large population of understory trees in our area do not shed their leaves in the Fall. Driving along our rural road, I once saw this as a kind of failure on the part of the tree, a rebellion of sorts against the laws of autumnal nature that requires the falling of all deciduous leaves. Then I learned about a beautiful word—Marcescence. In a few species of trees, leaves are retained throughout winter, wilted, brown, and eventually bleached, until the new buds of Spring emerge and push off last year’s growth.
I wonder at their perseverance. How can they endure the harsh winds of winter? Why don’t they just give up and let go? They remain only a shell of their former glory, dangling lifeless from the branches that once nourished them.
Winter seasons often leave us in a similar state; drained of life, holding onto our Source by a thread. The winds howl and the elements rage around us and we are certain we cannot hold on much longer. Yet, somehow we remain.
Marcescence remains a mystery for scientists as they speculate differing reasons behind the occurrence. But the tree knows exactly what it is doing and why. It patiently holds last year’s leaves until the budding branches are ready for new growth in the Spring.
In one of my deepest winter seasons I deeply identified with this phenomenon. I felt like a dried and withered leaf. Grief, anxiety, depression, and overwhelm threatened to blow me to the ground and I was certain my strength would fail. Then one day the Father graciously revealed whose strength I was indeed resting on…His.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
“My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.” 2 Corinthians 12:7
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
This mystery of being held is a great comfort to me. It is not up to my feeble strength. He is strong enough to hold me through the winter, until Spring ushers in new life.
“When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast,
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast,
I could never keep my hold, through life’s fearful path,
For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.”
Ada R. Habershon
