As we are in this Memorial Day Weekend, I have found myself thinking about a different memorial. Don’t misunderstand me, I truly appreciate the sacrifice made by so many to give us the freedoms we enjoy in this nation. I honor the memory of those who served in our armed forces and gave their lives and appreciate this weekend calling us to remember.

However, my thoughts go back to last weekend. Our family dedicated a memorial tree in memory of my niece, my brother’s daughter, who died of a heroin overdose last year. She was also my God-daughter. The tree was donated by my sister and her husband, and it was planted outside a sober living facility in Kerrville, Texas, where Lauren had stayed several times in an effort to overcome her addiction. Here is some of what I shared as we dedicated that memorial.

We dedicate this tree that was planted in memory of our dear Lauren, part of our family. As we remember her today, we thank God that she was a part of our lives, and that she was led to know and believe in Jesus, granting her the promise of forgiveness for her sins and life everlasting with Him. Even though she was taken from us far too soon, we do remember her. Her laugh, her smile, her beautiful voice. We remember her, and this tree is a testimony to that.

Trees are mentioned more than 300 times in Scripture, both Good and Bad. The Tree of Life. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which led to death. And scripture also refers to the cross as a tree.

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

A tree reminds us of life, and through the tree of the cross, we are reminded how Jesus paid for our sins so that we could have forgiveness and life forever with Him. This living thing we dedicate in memory of Lauren today can be a reminder of her and the hope that people can find here in this place (the sober living facility). But it is also a reminder of the one who saved her and all of us from death.

As followers of Jesus, we live in with a sure and certain hope.

Romans 8:31–39 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We dedicate this tree today in loving memory of Lauren, a reminder that in life or death, nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.