One leaf makes the difference between life and death of the mangrove tree.You could miss the few yellow leaves scattered among all the green leaves in the grove. But our captain made certain to point them out.
My daughter, Courtney, and I went on an EcoCruise while on a family vacation in the Florida Keys this past January. We saw lots of different birds, plants, and a few crabs. But the thing that made the biggest impact was the smallest thing we saw.
The yellow leaf.
According to the guide, the leaf soaks up all the salt water the plant’s roots take in. In doing so the rest of the tree can survive- even thrive. But … the result is the yellow leaf itself, dies.
The leaf’s sole purpose is to die so the rest of the tree can live.
Its name: The Sacrificial Leaf.
(You know where I’m heading with this!) Today, I am thanking God for the sacrifice His Son made for me while he hung on a tree. He sucked up all my salty sin and gave me living water. He gave his life so I could survive- no…thrive. He did it for me, for my family, and for you.
His name: Jesus.
Since that first Easter Morning- every day that follows-is a resurrection day. I am grateful. Because he died for me, I will live for Him.
He is risen! He is risen indeed.
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
