Monday, November 1, 2021

November 1

Back at the cottage at the end of the lane, the weather was so lovely that I sat on my porch all afternoon. We’ve only lived here since May, so I haven’t been through the blooming season for all the trees near our property. I casually looked up from what I was reading and caught a glimpse of a tree in full bloom; not just any tree, one of my favorites because of its showy blossom, the Ceiba speciosa, the silk floss tree, and it was in my neighbor’s yard! I can gaze at its beauty without having to own it. Though this tree’s bloom is gorgeous, the tree's trunk and branches have these scary-looking thorns that protect it from anyone touching it. Why are some of the most beautiful flowers grown on trees and bushes with thorns? Maybe it’s so we won’t touch them because their process is not complete. A rose goes from a bud to a bloom that will open up to spectacular beauty, then becomes rose hips, an edible fruit. I’m not sure if the silk floss tree does the same thing, but for some reason, it has thorns to protect it.

Because we represent the beauty of Jesus and have accepted him as our Savior, we have a shield of protection to keep us from being snatched up by the devil for eternity. We are firmly attached to the branch and protected from pruning. The crown of thorns he wore when he went to the cross has become our guarantee of his protection. If you love Jesus, you are a delight and are beautiful to behold in the eyes of God.


For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, Hebrews 2:10-11

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