Life is a Garden Party: Crabapple

Monday, June 8, 2015

Crabapple

In the spring a buzzing tree
topped with white blooms so pretty
then visited by humming bees
heard singing loudly, filled with glee.

But then one day, rather windy or rainy,
those lovely blooms are no longer pretty
so these wee buzzing bees
go somewhere else for tea.

In the summer a nesting tree
where two parents wait patiently
for their little ones still wee
to spread their wings and be free.

Then one day, all too soon for me,
this little brood of fledglings flee
to parts unknown unfortunately
leaving me a little unhappy.

In the fall a fruiting tree
as wee crab apples plenty
create a picture as pretty as can be
and perhaps homemade jelly for toast with tea.

Some fruit will fall to the ground to be
a seed to grow into a seedling wee
then one day grow into another tree
with many functions for all to see.

In the winter a feeding tree
on mornings cold and snowy
where hungry birds come to dine for free
as they rest for awhile on their knees.

How happy this crab apple tree
when birds fill its limbs with glee.
Even if one happens to sing off key
it won't live up to its name - crabby.

Entertainment all year long you'll see
if you plant a crab apple tree.
Its branches grow each year more stately
attracting bees and birds and even me.

* * * * *

Just as a tree has many purposes,
you life, too, has many purposes.
These purposes may change as time goes on
perhaps making a difference beyond.

In order to fulfill your purpose
you need to be headed toward the right quest.
This quest is to know when to take risks
and when to stay true to the tried list.

Part of this quest is to not live in fear
but to seek God, who is always near,
as fear can often paralyze
keeping us from living our lives.

Don't let fear define who you are
as God's beloved - that's who you are.
This is your foundation, your roots,
that will keep you strong throughout.

If you're rooted in the Tree of Life
then you'll find purpose throughout life.
Perhaps not the world's view of success,
but purpose through God, nevertheless.

So stand firm through the fears of life,
just like the tree buffeted by life.
Because its foundation is secure
not only will is stand, it will endure.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:3

I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my rock."
Psalm 92:12