As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 

~Song of Solomon 2:3

Have you ever read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein? A little boy finds delight in the fruit and shade of an apple tree. As he grows older he goes to the tree less and less.  The things of the world; money, house, family, and a boat, draw him away. When he wants more but can't seem to find the way to get it. Each time he returns to the tree. The tree sacrifices more and more to give the boy now a man the things he desires. Each time the boy/man returns it makes the tree happy until the boy leaves again. Finally, there's nothing left but a stump where the old man sits. 

Children's literature is an interesting thing for adults to contemplate. It's much more than a story. I'm not sure if the author understood a Biblical meaning of his story but we as Christians can help our children and ourselves gain truth from children's literature. Just as Jesus told parables to give them an understanding of truth so we can use stories to bring truth to our children. 

Song of Solomon uses the analogy of an apple tree. The apple tree was better than other trees because it gave fruit to the hungry and shade for the weary. Not even the cedars of Lebanon were of use without first being cut down. In The Giving Tree, the apple tree was food and shade but also it gave and gave until finally it too was cut down. Still, it was a place of rest. In Jesus, we have spiritual food for our souls. We find rest and peace in the shade of His word. Though we stray far from Him, like the Father in Jesus's parable of the prodigal son, He is always waiting and looking for our return.  

The Giving Tree is kind of a sad story of how we waste our lives in search of the things to make us happy, the things the world offers. It is sad that the tree that only wanted to love gave all for the boy. I'm not sure the boy in the story ever understood what the tree had done for him.

Jesus has given all for our salvation. He is our apple tree. He has been cut down on the cross but thankfully risen again to give us the fruit of salvation and the place of rest and peace for our souls. 

Heavenly Father, help us recognize Your love for us in giving Your only Son for the salvation of our souls. Thank you for the rest and peace we can find under His shadow. In Jesus name. Amen.