Resurrection on the Road
-Brenda Graff
The day before Easter, we had
been scheduled for a road trip to College Station, Texas to celebrate my
father-n-laws eighty-fourth birthday. We
live quite far, but the scenery on the way up there can be breath-taking when
the bluebonnets are in full bloom. In
anticipating to see a display of splendor, I made sure my camera was ready to
grab some pics. Not only were there some
bluebonnets, but another favorite of mine are the side-roads covered with the Castilleja
flowers, also known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire.
The flowers of Indian paintbrush
are edible, and were consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes
as a condiment with other fresh greens. The
Ojibwa, or Chippewa, a large group of Native Americans used a hair wash made
from Indian paintbrush to make their hair glossy and full bodied, and as a
treatment for rheumatism. Nevada Indian tribes used the plant to enhance the
immune system.
But before you go out and pick a
hand full of these to consume, read up on them.
They can be very toxic if eaten in large quantities or consuming the
root.
Anyhow, back to the road
trip. As I was enjoying the breeze
through the window, and ironically listening to one of my favorite Christian artist, "Third Day", and viewing
patches of these beautiful displays here and there, I was overcome at the
timing that these flowers begin to bloom.
Remembering that Sunday was the very next morning where families
would gather in great numbers all over the world to celebrate our risen Savior, Easter. It brought what I call an “ah-ha” moment.
I thought of the magnitude of how God, our
Creator in heaven and earth had planted flowers all over creation. He chose the colors, shape, size, and timing
for blooming.
I am always amazed as I experience the display of artistry with each passing byway.
Just months before on a Thanksgiving trip
through the area it was dry, and barren, with the whisper of bitter, cold, and lonely
winds blowing through the hills. Here it
is spring, the rising up of the dead, the buried, and sleeping...singing in full
bloom the praises of our Eternal King.
The trees in the fields clap their hands to him, birds in the sky sing
their praise to Him, the flowers in the fields bloom with passion towards their
Creator for all the world to witness as they celebrate the living, One and Only
Begotten Son of God, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and our Savior. That on that third day HE arose!
It was no accident the petals were displayed
in spender the weekend of the crucifixion and the rising of the SON!
God wasn’t
placing flowers on the graveside of this sinful earth in the mourning of His
sacrifice, He was planting LIFE through HIS sacrifice as a sign to NEVER be
forgotten, while giving ours back. LIFE ETERNAL.
Isaiah 55:12-13 (NIV)You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
Posts
