Always Remember

There is an old story that has been passed around for many years about Dogwoods and the crucifixion of Jesus. Many people enjoy sharing it especially around Easter when these beautiful tress are in full bloom. As I was looking through my pictures I took last week I came across some of Tiffany's Dogwood she has in her front yard. I can't help but to share them and this old legend with you as well :)

The story goes that when Jesus was awaiting crucifixion and when the crosses were being made the trees begged God to spare them, but the Dogwood begged not for it's life but for the life of Jesus. Despite it's cries, the Roman soldiers picked the Dogwood. The Dogwood pleaded with God to use another wood but God did not intervene.  The Dogwood would now contribute to the crucifixion of Jesus and the Dogwood knew that for all eternity that's what it would be known for.

 In that time Dogwoods were tall straight trees that provided sturdy timber for homes and vessels, safety for the animals, bowls for food, and utensils to cook with. But because God could feel the distress of the tree He told the Dogwood that the burden it was carrying would be carried only once, and from that time on it would be a knarly small tree with poor timber size so no Dogwood could be used as a cross again. God told the Dogwood that instead it would now be responsible for eternity to help people remember that Jesus died for our sins.

The Dogwood would only bloom for a very short time before and after the date of the crucifixion. The flower would have just 4 petals, two short and two long, representing the cross. It would also be marked with a hole and stained pink to remind us of the blood that was shed for us, and the center of the flower would be a raised circle to represent the crown of thorns. To this day, the only purpose the Dogwood trees have served is to help us to never forget the love that God has for us and the ultimate sacrifice He gave.