Mid-week Devotional:
Week of April 21, 2025
Each spring I look forward to watching the red bud trees in East Texas come out of dormancy. They do not produce leaves and flowers overnight. Change occurs through stages. The first stage is the appearance of blossoms, followed by bright green leaves, and then the production of seed pods.
Ten years ago, my husband and I planted a red bud tree that was growing in a neighbor’s pasture. We thought we dug up only one tree but we soon discovered that we had dug up 3 red bud trees. The roots of the trees were so intertwined that we couldn’t tell the roots of each tree apart.
Each spring the red bud trees come out of their dormancy state and become a beautiful group of trees. The most amazing piece to witness is that the 3 red bud trees do not come out of dormancy at the same time and they never change at the same rate. There have been years when one tree was fully leafed out with seed pods while the other two trees were completely bare. There have been years when all 3 trees were in different stages. Each tree is a different height. Each tree has different number of branches and different number of leaves.
For ten years these trees have lived clumped together; literally side-by-side. The root system of each tree continues to provide enough nutrients and water to all its cells ensuring that each individual tree lives. The branches of the trees literally touch each other providing strength and support when the winds blow. The three red bud trees are separate trees but yet they are connected through their presence.
Watching the interaction between the red bud trees I am reminded that every person is unique and every one’s journey of faith is different.
There are those who take longer to respond to God’s love and grace surrounding them.
Each has different seasons of growth in their spiritual lives.
Scripture from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes speaks of the importance of support and companionship among believers on their journeys of faith.
Hear the word of God from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Hear the word of God.
“9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”
This is God’s Word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
When believers are alone and without the support and guidance of other believers beside them during times of change and upheaval the chances of losing their way on their journey of faith increases.
The possibility of them turning away from God and walking in the ways of the world increases.
They are like that of a single red bud tree in a large pasture. When the winds begin to blow and a storm comes upon that single tree there is a large possibility that the tree will break and fall down for it has no support to lean upon.
In the days ahead may you and I write these words from Ecclesiastes upon our hearts, “Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up the other…” (v. 9, 10).
You and I are called to live these words out through all our words and actions as Jesus’ disciples.
You and I are called to be open and receptive to the needs of others.
Peace be with you.
AMEN.