Writings By Phil

Though I doubt the City of Sanford ever felt remorse for overtaxing it’s citizens, there was a time, in the not so distant past, when every year they gave away a “free” tree to every homeowner. I believed the giveaway was an attempt to ease their conscience.

In succeeding years, I planted four trees with a 75% survival rate. Our three, giant, Live Oaks made full sunlight non-existent on most of our property and heavy shade was not the ingredient to make new trees thrive.

I planted this flowering tree (in picture) just outside our property line and close to our front door about ten years ago. There, at least, it would get full afternoon sun and I could enjoy it’s beauty each spring if it should ever burst forth with bright yellow flowers. It grew tall enough that the power company butchered the west side of it every time they trimmed under the electric lines.

Okay, now I know the flowers are not yellow, but pink or mauve or somewhere in-between, but when I picked up the sapling, they told me it would bloom yellow and there was even a tag to prove it. Guess someone down at the city was colorblind, too!

Fall and spring come at the same time here in Florida, at least, for those of us with Live Oaks in our yard. My theory was that bright green Spring leaves push dark green Fall leaves from their perches on the lofty branches. The only color change was from dark green to brown when the fallen leaves roast in the Florida sun. The leaves fall from the tree tops, fluttering downward, dead before they hit the pavers. They joined a thousand dead comrades, piling ever higher around the flower pots standing guard outside our front door. I’ve thought of the work they create for me- got to get the blower out and clean the walkway. It was hard to get excited about the task- might as well wait till all the leaves have fallen!

I saw the dead leaves on the ground, but not the flowers overhead. The tree had been bursting with color for at least five days. When I was out, I saw flowering trees, most of them yellow, all around town on trees given away by the city. I made a mental note to look at my own trees when I got home, but I forgot. The flowers only last a few days and then fall from the trees one by one. Today they started to fall. Even looking down I didn’t see a flower fading, but my daughter, Haley, brought me one and told me the whole East side of the tree was loaded with blossoms.

Outside, I looked up. It was beautiful! How many days did I miss God’s glory because I didn’t look up? Looking down, all I saw was dirty pavers, dead leaves and the work those created for me to do.

Yes, the pavers of my life are littered with a myriad of worries; health problems, personal relationships that need work, the economy headed south, politics that don’t go my way, climbing gas prices, an uncertain future, socialism knocking at the door, and the list goes on. I walk around, looking down, feeling helpless, adding one burden after another to my already overburdened shoulders.

There is a better way! These problems are not mine to solve. My part is to look up! Looking into Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, look to the hills (God) from whence cometh my help, look to the finish line to win the prize.

It is time to look up and see the flowers! Then I can see the beauty and glory of God. Then I can let Him carry my burden. Then I can have peace in spite of everything.

Stop! Look up!! See the flowers!!! Trust in the one who loved me so much He took my sin and gave me His righteousness. Not only that, He has promised to be with me, even carry my burden and take me though whatever He allows to come my way.

Aren’t flowers beautiful?!?!

End