Today I’d like to spend some extra time in His word and in prayer.  I have found this area of my life and relationship with Him to be greatly lacking.  Oh How vital it is to spend daily time with Him, and how too often we, “I”, don’t take that time.  It’s easy to give excuses and to justify complacency until we find ourselves recognizing our need for His outstretched arm.

How convenient for us, and terrible for the one who died on the Dogwood Tree.  Please don’t take my words as harsh as I alone know I need to practice them all the more.  When I was younger my mom used to have a plaque of the Dogwood Legend.  We came across this while on vacation.  I am not sure if this is the same poem, but I thought it was worth posting.

The Legend of the Dogwood

In Jesus’ time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
‘Twas strong & firm it’s branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom’s center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony.”

Blessings to you as we lay at His feet,