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Fickle Faith



On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12: 12-13

I remember going to church on Palm Sunday when I was a young girl and receiving a palm branch that my parents proudly displayed behind a picture of the Last Supper in our dining room. I lived in the Midwest; this was my only understanding of the palm.

Many years later I moved with my husband and children to the southwest where we planted a palm tree that was three feet high. We watered it faithfully every day for almost ten years. By the end of the tenth year, the tree towered several feet over the roof of our house. My husband would cut the dead fronds, or palm branches, off as the tree grew new leaves at the top.

I learned a lot from the Palm tree. The last foot or so of the palm branch was a jagged thorn-like stem that would cut viciously into the flesh if you held it wrong. I thought about Palm Sunday when the people waved their branches and shouted Hosanna in the highest, and yet just a few days later the crowd yelled crucify him.

How fickle is human nature. Whether it be a sports team, politician, or some pop celebrity, we shout praises and we give accolades and the next thing you know we’re criticizing the same heroes and treating them with scorn.

The same frond that carries the leafy palm also carries the jagged stem.
You can read more inspirational articles at Spiritual Sunday.
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Comments

  1. Kathleen April 5, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    Indeed, a good word!

    My pastor is often heard to say: "Everywhere He went, He stirred either revival or revolt."

    He does so still.

    Be blessed this Passover season, and always!

    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  2. SueApril 5, 2009 at 6:59 AM

    Thank you for sharing this today, you are right we sing peoples praises one moment and the next we are ready to crucify them!! So much food for thought.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  3. SmilingSallyApril 5, 2009 at 7:06 AM

    Good point to tie in the nature of the palm with people. Thanks for sharing. Happy Spiritual Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed TangoApril 5, 2009 at 7:11 AM

    Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed reading your account as a young person! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AndreaApril 5, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    Thank you. As you know by now this greatly applies to my family, too. Blessings, andrea

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageApril 5, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    Loved your post! Enjoyed your story about the palm leaf too; I never knew that before. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful Sunday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  7. RCUBEsApril 5, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    We used to have a huge palm tree in front of the old house that we lived in. When my son would go out & play, I always warned him about not getting too close to those jagged edges. The roots started growing under the driveway and created a huge crack on it. No choice but had to chop it down! Nice lookin' tree but the damage it can do - unbelievable! Great post about it in relation to our human nature. God bless and have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AndreaApril 5, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Sitka has something for you. Please stop by his blog. blessings and prayers, andrea

    ReplyDelete
  9. Musings of A MinisterApril 5, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    I love the way you presented this message. Excellent. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. bpApril 5, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    That is interesting, thanks for sharing about your experiences with a palm tree. Have a great week!
    Bethany

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beth in NCApril 5, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    I appreciate you finding me and following me. :o)

    I look forward to getting to know you!

    Bless you!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  12. AlleluiabelleApril 5, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    What great words indeed. You certainly educated me. I never knew that about a palm. Very interesting...and the way you applied that to human nature, oh so very true.

    God bless you dear friend.

    Hugs,
    Alleluiabelle

    ReplyDelete
  13. BeverlydruApril 6, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    I remember the processional we did as children waving palm branches. It's a sweet and special memory. In FLorida, palms are pretty easy to come by. : )

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ms.DaisyApril 6, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    Thanks for a very interesting post...I never knew that about palms even though I lived in Florida for awhile!


    ~Jean

    ReplyDelete
  15. anonApril 7, 2009 at 5:43 AM

    Thanks for sharing - palm sunday takes on a different meaning as we get older and wiser to human nature and ourselves. Take care, Judith

    ReplyDelete

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