PALM TREES AND PALM SUNDAY

Recently, I took a trip to south Texas to visit my parents; they retired and moved there about 12 years ago. One reason was because the climate was better suited for my mom’s health (they used to live in the Midwest). Growing up in the Midwest myself, it was hard to imagine a better place to live, but my parents really enjoy it there and live in a really nice retirement community.

Now, back to the trip - it was 35 degrees in the Midwest when I boarded the plane that was loaded with college-aged spring breakers. The young man sitting next to me was more interested in “snap chatting” than having a conversion. No worries, I thought to myself, I’ll just read my bible and enjoy the flight. After a couple of hours, the plane started its decent. As the warmth of the southern sun glared through my window, my jean covered legs and long sleeved covered arms got pretty hot. I was slightly envious of the snap chatting college kid with his shorts and t-shirt, but only slightly. The plane landed, I grabbed my bag, met my dad, and shed a few layers of cloths as we jumped in his car.

My parents tolerated my desire for tourist traps

As we drove back to my parents place, the palm trees fascinated me. Palm trees were everywhere, as were retired people, and spring breakers. It was nice to hug my mom. We spent the weekend doing some sightseeing and a lot of talking.

Of course, the palm trees kept catching my eye. The unique thing about palm trees is they have one very tall main trunk with no branches, and at the top is a brilliant green plume of long narrow leaves. Two Sundays ago was Palm Sunday. Our Pastor's sermon started out by explaining how Palm Sunday got its name (I was thankful because I never knew). In Greco-Roman times, palm branches signified victory,  so when all of Jesus’ followers waved palm branches and laid them on the path ahead of him into Jerusalem, it showed their celebration of His victory.  Little did I know, I was witnessing different forms of victory in south Texas that weekend - for the palm trees, all the growth was at the top; for the retirees, they were at the pinnacle point of their lives, and for the spring breakers, they felt at the top of their game. 

A victorious end to the day.

Matthew 21:8-9 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"