Although Cherry Blossom season ended about a month ago in our nation’s capital, and although Apple Blossom in Winchester is past, many other trees of various species continue to bloom displaying their annual splendor for all to see. Locust trees have most recently shared their glory and dogwoods are also now declining. The annual spring blooming of all the trees around us remind us to use all of our energy to bring glory to the God who created us as well.
Several years ago, Nancy and I selected and planted a beautiful weeping cherry tree in the back of our home. Over the years, it provided many lovely blossoms that attracted and nourished the bees while its drooping branches provided roosting and nesting sites for hummingbirds and wrens. Its leaves, if not sprayed, also proved to be delicacies for the nasty Japanese Beetles which savored such greenery.
As this tree grew larger, like most other trees, it needed some pruning. One of my yearly chores was to get the shears and step stool and cut him back. Since this particular tree must have liked his location, he required more and more aggressive attention as the years went by. After many years of delighting us, we eventually had to remove him when we tore out our old deck and reconfigured our landscaping.
Before that happened, however, one year I must have pruned something I shouldn’t have or in a way I shouldn’t have, for this tree would occasionally send up a random branch toward the heavens. This would normally be a very good thing but weeping cherries are supposed to, well, weep. Since most other branches were following the plan, the ones that didn’t really stood out and marred the appearance of the otherwise nicely shaped tree.
I know trees can’t think and reason nor do they have a soul, but I couldn’t help but think these individual rebellious branches were actually refusing to follow the crowd and were making their own defiant statements. In spite of their surroundings and even in spite of their heredity, these individual shoots were determined to rise upward in cheery praise to their Creator. They had decided within themselves not to weep and mourn like all their peers.
As I’ve reflected on these persistent branches, what a lesson they can teach us. In spite of our upbringing or even our genetics, in spite of those who try to keep us down, in spite of all those weeping and drooping around us, we should be just as determined to rise up and praise our Creator. Since even Jesus wept, we understand that there are appropriate times to do so, but to live in a perpetual state of misery and hopelessness is not God’s will for us.
Paul advises us in Philippians 4:4 to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Writing this incredible letter from prison, Paul goes on to say that he has learned to be content in spite of all the droopy situations in his life. Although such a response is not normal or easy, God’s Holy Spirit can help His children live an upright joyful life in the midst of a drooping weepy world.
Even though these actions of praise may defy the culture in which we live, and even though they may attract unwanted pruning attention from those who might not like such eruptive praise, may we be as insistent and tenacious as these few odd-shaped cheery shoots on the weeping cherry tree. Who knows, our exuberance might wear off on others around us and turn the whole tree upwards? Praise and enthusiasm are contagious and can actually infect and influence other branches in very positive ways.
As we enjoy the progression of spring blossoms, may we learn whatever spiritual lessons God desires to teach us through His creation and may we bring praise to Him always! Blessings, George