The Tulip Tree

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement
The Tulip Tree

We picked up a beautiful flower lying with many other blooms on the ground in a wooded area. Craning our necks, we looked up to see a lovely mass of flowers blooming far above our heads on a Tulip Tree. What a spectacular sight. The tree was covered with tulip shaped blossoms. We smiled at the cheery colors of orange and light green blossoms against the dark green leaves of the tree, a treat for our eyes which we might have missed had it not been for the blossoms at our feet. The blooms were as lovely as a tulip with the stamens in the center more numerous and colorful.

Wanting to affirm I had the right name for the tree, I looked it up. The article related that its blossoms carry a sweet, sugary smell and pointed out the one deterrent to growing the tree in one’s yard–the messy appearance of the fallen blossoms on the ground. Maybe a mess, but a pretty one. One worth the effort of raking when they turn brown. Isn’t that a little like people both young and old? Sometimes they are messy to deal with, but at the same time they are lovely to have around. They can smell sweet when attached to the source of their existence, their creator, and they can delight us even if they require some cleaning up when they fall. At the height of their bloom, they are pleasing to look at and can be accompanied by the delightful aroma of kind actions. Thank you, God, that you have made beautiful flowers and so many delightful people. Help us treasure your creations and teach us to focus on their loveliness instead of their messiness.