Aside from the obvious connection that I grew up in Orlando, FL and LOVE the beach and this state, or that after 10 long years away how blessed I feel to be back, there is actually a deeper meaning.
My name, Tamara, is Hebrew for Palm Tree. For a long time I thought that was so cheesy! I couldn't have some profound meaning like Beautiful or Wise One! I'm a palm tree!! Hahaha.
A couple years ago I was reading a book by Francine Rivers on Tamar in the Bible. In that booked she talked about how Tamar meant palm tree, but went on to describe what a strong tree that it was and how it could withstand all kind of storms and weather and not be harmed. I felt proud of my name after that!
Then I recently ran across this blog: http://www.pangjson.blogspot.com/2008/04/palm-tree.html. I am going to copy and paste from there:
The Palm Tree
Be like the palm tree
‘THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE…’ PSALM 92:12 NIV
Palm trees. You generally don’t get them growing in your back garden! Palm trees are associated with exotic places, hot places, and they’re quite amazing trees! For starters, you can cut it but you can’t kill it. The nutrients that most trees need to survive can be found just below the bark, so when you cut them they die. But not the palm tree; its life comes from its heart so it thrives even under attack. Don’t let surface issues faze you. Stay focused on what God promised you!
The palm tree bends but it won’t break. Monsoon storms and hurricanes can blow most trees away, but not the palm tree. It’s flexible. It can bend all the way to the ground, and when the storm is over it straightens up again and is actually stronger. You were made to bend, not break. God promises to give you ‘…strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy’ (Colossians 1:11 TM). The unfolding of God’s amazing plan for your life will happen as you show your ability to endure.
The palm tree’s depth exceeds its height. While the roots of the average tree go a few feet under, the roots of the palm tree go deep in search of water. David said this about people who trust in God, ‘They are strong, like a tree planted by a river…’ (Psalm 1:3 NCV). God’s plan for you is to go deep, stay connected to Him, and never be uprooted, or blown away. If you’re facing attack, or a storm, or a dry season don’t ask ‘Why me?’ instead remember, ‘God has made me like a Palm tree’.
Dan 5- 7, Matt 2:13- 23, Ps 7:10- 17, Pr 10:17- 18
‘THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE…’ PSALM 92:12 NIV
Palm trees. You generally don’t get them growing in your back garden! Palm trees are associated with exotic places, hot places, and they’re quite amazing trees! For starters, you can cut it but you can’t kill it. The nutrients that most trees need to survive can be found just below the bark, so when you cut them they die. But not the palm tree; its life comes from its heart so it thrives even under attack. Don’t let surface issues faze you. Stay focused on what God promised you!
The palm tree bends but it won’t break. Monsoon storms and hurricanes can blow most trees away, but not the palm tree. It’s flexible. It can bend all the way to the ground, and when the storm is over it straightens up again and is actually stronger. You were made to bend, not break. God promises to give you ‘…strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy’ (Colossians 1:11 TM). The unfolding of God’s amazing plan for your life will happen as you show your ability to endure.
The palm tree’s depth exceeds its height. While the roots of the average tree go a few feet under, the roots of the palm tree go deep in search of water. David said this about people who trust in God, ‘They are strong, like a tree planted by a river…’ (Psalm 1:3 NCV). God’s plan for you is to go deep, stay connected to Him, and never be uprooted, or blown away. If you’re facing attack, or a storm, or a dry season don’t ask ‘Why me?’ instead remember, ‘God has made me like a Palm tree’.
Dan 5- 7, Matt 2:13- 23, Ps 7:10- 17, Pr 10:17- 18
Boy do I wish I was talented enough to come up with all that on my own!!! My life has had a lot of bends in it for sure, but by his grace and mercy alone, God has not allowed me to break!!!
I hope you enjoy my blog, I hope to write all kinds of things on here! My life can get really crazy and I hope you enjoy the ride with me!
I love this... I need to be palm tree.
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