A Lenten Devotion by Janet Sanders
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
John 15: 12-14
I have always been fascinated with the beauty of a flowering tree. Each spring when I see a tree with blossoms I wish it was in my yard. This year the National Parks offers a virtual tour of the Cherry Blossoms that are in bloom in Washington, D.C. at nationalcherryblossomfestivallive.org/
These amazing trees were planted in 1912, given as a gift by Tokyo. There are still a few trees alive from the original planting and represent a gift of friendship. After watching the video I remembered I was given a lapel pin of the Cherry Blossoms from a co-worker. When he travels with his family he always brings back something for our department. This was a special memento for me. I traveled many years ago to see the Cherry Blossoms but my visit was too early and there were only buds on the trees.
Perhaps when life resumes we can plant a cherry tree on the Edwards campus. The tree would remind of us all the friendships in our community. The gift of friendship is sacred.
Thank you God for friends and friendships, past and present. Amen