The Bradford Pear Tree

The school that I teach at is shaped like a donut.  In the middle of the donut is a concrete area, several grass patches, and three huge Bradford Pear trees.  If you have ever seen a Bradford Pear tree in the fall, you know that it can truly be a magnificent sight.  The leaves change to many different shades of yellow, orange, and red.  Their beauty will make even summer’s biggest fan beg for the cool days of fall.

Upon walking across this area at the end of the school day, I observed a colleague of mine walking out a door with her young son.  The short blonde-haired boy took a few steps out of the door, looked up at one of the trees, flailed his arms out and yelled, “It’s beautiful!” as he stared at it.  He then proceeded to turn and follow behind his mother as she smiled and they headed towards the exit.  It was one of the cutest and funniest things that I have seen in a while.

I can’t help but think of the gospel of Matthew when reflecting on this adorable story:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them, and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:1-4

In other words, we need to be just like my colleague’s son.  Imagine what our world would be like if we worshiped God with that type of enthusiasm and awe.  Imagine if we all took notice of all of the gifts that God has given us and thanked Him with that type of devotion and genuineness.  I think that there would be a lot more Christians in our world.  God is calling us to have faith like a child. He is calling us to raise our hands in the air, and to look up and yell, “It’s beautiful!” as we thank Him for our many gifts.