Arms Wide Open
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100mm macro 2.8, 1/80 shutter, 1/400 ISO
I love the shape of this particular Dogwood blossom. It caught my eye as I was out looking for images today in the rain. It reminded me of a legend that I have heard about the Dogwood Tree and it’s flowers.
It goes something like this:
“The dogwood once grew as tall & mighty as the oak, so it was chosen as the tree on which Jesus was crucified. The deeply unhappy dogwood begged the Lord’s forgiveness. Jesus took pity on & decided that forever after, the dogwood would be slender & twisted so that its wood could never again be used for a cross. He also reshaped the dogwood’s blossoms into the form of a cross. In the center of each bloom is a crown of thorns, & on each of its petals are nail-prints stained with red.” ~ Folkways of the American Dogwood
Of course this is only a legend, but the Dogwood does always bloom right around Easter and it’s four petals do resemble a cross. Even the folded places on the tips of the petals resemble feet and hands, stained with blood. This blossom especially, with it’s petals outstretched like arms, looks like one offering it’s life for another. A picture of sacrifice.
Isn’t it like our Father to place reminders of His love for us everywhere? And what better way has He shown His love for us than through the cross?
I believe, little flower. He has given His life for me. He has loved us all in the deepest way possible. Thank you for telling me again.
John 15:13 ~ “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Dogwood In Glory (using bokeh texture)
A Chorus of Truth
3 Comments
Love these so focused and vivid in color.
A chorus of truth – I’ll never walk up on a dogwood the same.
My mom’s favorite flower! They were her wedding flowers. She is with her Lord now and I know she has seen the fulfillment of the promise. I love each and every dogwood I pass and think of her each time.