What We Leave Behind

By Melissa McLaughlin

The wind gusted. Branches on the tree near our house bounced a sprightly spring dance. Lavender-pink petals fluttered down, dropping like confetti tossed from a tall building at a grand parade. The petals piled around the base of the tree, wrapping it in a blush blanket.

I breathed in the floral scent wafting through the air and reached down to touch a wilting blossom on the ground. The tender petal felt velvety soft on my skin. I pondered this fleeting miracle from God.

Memories of my children flooded my mind. At a young age, they gathered fallen petals in plastic teacups and saucers. They fed me gourmet drinks and the finest foods from their vivid imaginations. Nothing tasted sweeter.

Seeing God’s Glory in a Tree

After the stark and bitter winter, fresh tree blossoms are a gift for the soul. Though short-lived, they herald God’s power over darkness and His faithfulness through the seasons.

There isn’t a tree I don’t love. But a few of my favorites in spring are the Star Magnolia, the American Redbud (also known as the Eastern Redbud), and the Kwanzan Cherry (also known as the Japanese Flowering Cherry, a double flowering tree).

Although all of these trees don’t grow on our property, each type graces our neighborhood. So we are treated to a magnificent show every year in spring.

Pink, purple, and white petals collect along sidewalks, gutters, and at the edges of driveways. God’s glory shining brightly underfoot and in forgotten places.

What We Leave Behind

With each calendar-page flip, our own seasons of life march on. As we reflect back over our lives, I wonder what beauty we have shared with others on the earth, even those in humble or unnoticed circumstances. Did we grace the gutters with Christ’s beauty?

What will we leave behind?

• Have we burst forth with joy at the Creator’s call each day?
• Have we revealed our blood-bought identity in Christ, blossoming into who He made us to be?
• Have we stretched out to display His artist’s signature through our unique gifts and resources?
• Have we left a velvet-soft touch for those whose come in contact with us?
• Have we opened wide our hearts, releasing Christ’s Spirit-infused fragrance?
• Have we dropped ourselves and strewn our resources to nourish the soul-soil of those who are unseen?
• Have our words echoed His Word?

Watching the spring flowers and trees rise in splendor, then fade in quietness, reminds me of the brevity of our lives.

Pray With Me

Lord God, help us bloom brightly for you while we have life! Transform our cold, hard hearts into newly tilled soil, ready for a fresh planting of your Word and a season of growth. Deepen our spiritual roots and help us cling to the true Vine, Jesus Christ. Prune away dead twigs of pride, unforgiveness, and selfishness. Our season of life is short. Oh Savior, shine the light of your truth. Refresh us with the living water of Your grace to yield a harvest for You. May we leave behind seeds of faith for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What do you hope to leave behind?

Psalm 90:12 ESV – So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 52:8 ESV – But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

Isaiah 61:3 ESV – To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Invitation for my readers:

Would you like to draw closer to Christ? Are you looking for a fresh way to read the Bible? Or maybe you’d like to be reminded of Jesus woven throughout the Scriptures. 

The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible was written for you!

Available at Amazon, CLC Publications, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.

Each book comes with a free downloadable Small Group Study Guide. This is a great choice for your small group, Bible study, or Sunday School class!

Also Available on YouVersion:

Portions of The Whole Bible Devotional are also available for free on the YouVersion Bible App! Grab a friend and invite them to read with you! May the Bible come alive as you read and pray.

• Click here for “Praying From the Gospels“ YouVersion 4-day Bible plan.
• Click here for “Praying Words of Wisdom From the Bible“ YouVersion 5-day Bible plan.
• Click here for “Praying From Paul’s Letters” YouVersion 13-day Bible plan.

I hope you’ll check it out and be blessed!