When we lived on the Gulf Coast, we had the “privilege” of riding out several hurricanes and tropical storms. These storms, even the “little” ones, had the capacity to generate amazingly strong winds. One of the things that would happen whenever these fierce winds blew through was that our banana trees would get shredded, their leaves feathered or broken. In the cleanup after the storm, I cut the banana trees all the way down to knee height. But by the very next day, twelve inches of new growth would already have pushed out!
One year we were ground zero for a Category 3 storm. I vividly recall seeing the Bradford pear tree in our back yard stripped of its leaves. Within a week, that tree had gone through an entire growth cycle. Buds had appeared, pure white blossoms had emerged and fallen, and then another set of leaves had quickly grown out. As destructive as these storms were, they always assured me of new life and resurrection.
In the wake of the glory of Easter, we can be confident that while one day the Lord will make everything new, the daily beauty of emerging life continues to unfold around us. And even when that which grows is taken away, like banana trees and Bradford pears, God is always in the process of protecting and renewing life—even mine, even yours—with everlasting life, hope, and love!