I think April is such a pretty month. I have a special tree outside my bedroom window that always takes my breath away. I’m pretty sure it is a Pink Weeping Cherry Tree. After being barren during the long, dark days of winter, this lovely tree begins to turn pink for what seems to never be enough days in April. I love to sit by my window and appreciate all the color my Heavenly Father is allowing me to enjoy. It’s a treasure to pray, think, read and write as I look at all those drooping branches filled with wonder. What a gift for the eyes. I notice how the tree starts with dark pink buds and then blooms to dark pink flowers. With every day that passes, the flowers lose their pink color and turn lighter in color. It looks whiter and then eventually will turn to all green leaves. My heart wishes for those pink flowers to always stay. I want them to last. When they fade away, they delicately fall on my grass and flowers below giving them a look of being covered with pink snow. How lovely.
I thought of Jesus’ words in John 15:16 where He says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” Jesus too is looking for fruit that will last emanating from our lives. He doesn’t want us to be like that pink tree, only blooming pretty flowers for a few days in the year, but to truly be fruitful for Him. Oh to have flowers that last!
Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
“Lord, make us fruitful. We don’t want to be seasonal Christians, but always bearing fruit for You…fruit that will really last. We don’t want to perk up once in a while and be vibrant. We want to serve you with excellence all our days. Let Christ be seen in us. Let the world be touched by Your love. Keep us ever abiding in the vine. Thank You for how You are keeping us and growing us up in You. Be forever praised. Our great God and Savior. In Jesus’ Name…Amen.”
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