Submitted by Karen Goldy

The Lily Tree

Lamentations 3:22-23: His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

If you drive down a certain road in a small town in Tennessee, a tree blooms at the edge of a drive. The flowers are a beautiful deep pink, and each year

they bloom even prettier than the year before. Any stranger passing by would  consider it to be a lovely crepe myrtle tree.

To the couple who planted it, however, it will always be the Lily Tree. Lily was to be their second daughter for this young couple. As soon as the pregnancy was confirmed, names were discussed and nursery colors chosen. The child’s room would be pink, and her name would be Lily. But the baby the woman held in her womb was never held in her arms. In Lily’s memory, the couple planted a tree.

What was meant simply to be a memorial, however turned into a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness. No matter how brutal the winter, that tree

blossomed every spring. When it began to grow too large, the man pruned it back, and though the woman feared too much had been trimmed, the next year it bloomed bigger than it had before.

One hot July day, the man and woman moved away because God called them to another place. Pulling out of the driveway, they watched as the Lily tree

disappeared into the distance, reminding them of a difficult season. One morning, after a particularly sleepless night, the woman received a text from her dad. It said simply, “Lily.” Attached was a picture of that tree in all its beautiful pink glory, and she was reminded that God is forever faithful.

The next time you’re out driving around, admiring someone’s lovely landscaping, stop for a moment and take it all in. It just might be my Lily tree, and I pray it reminds you of Him.

Lord, You are so faithful. You hold the hurting and bind up the broken. Even after the darkest night, You awaken me with mercies anew.