The weekend before Easter, Sandy and I drove up to Washington, D.C. to see our son Jordan and daughter-in-law Melinda. We planned our trip to coincide with the beginning of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. We always had wanted to visit our nation’s capital in the springtime when its legendary cherry trees were in bloom. With us living back in Virginia now, and our son in D.C., this year was the perfect opportunity for us to do that.The history of Washington’s cherry trees goes back some 95 years, when the Mayor of Tokyo made a gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington in recognition of the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. In a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, the wife of President William Howard Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States planted the first two of these trees. With the passage of time, new plantings have been periodically added. Although these trees typically have a lifespan of no more than 50 years, an estimated 125 of the original 3,000 still survive, thanks to the diligent efforts of our National Park Service. (By the way, there approximately are 3,800 Japanese cherry trees in Washington today, most of them obviously replacements.)
As things turned out, Sandy and I timed our arrival in D.C. just right. The festival itself did not begin until Saturday, March 31st. We arrived Thursday night, however, so we could spend all day Friday taking in the scenery. The weather was great, the blooms were brilliant, and we got ahead of the big crowds by a whole day.
On Friday morning, we rode into D.C. from Jordan and Melinda’s apartment on the Metro rail system. We got off at the National Mall, walking eastward past the Washington Monument, the new World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Memorial. Then, we made our way past the little-known Korean War Memorial and the relatively new Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Next was the main event: The long walk around the beautiful cherry tree-lined waters of the Tidal Basin toward the Jefferson Memorial.
The picturesque scenery—historic marble monuments, blue cloudless skies, and glistening waters framed by vibrant pinkish-white cherry blossoms—was a true photo op for professional and amateur photographers alike. All along the walkway, cameras of all persuasions could be heard clicking as person after person stopped to visually record the breathtaking images. Interestingly, among the many blossom-watchers was a young Japanese couple in tux and bridal gown having their wedding photos taken amidst the flowering trees. (I’m not sure, however, if these were real newlyweds or just a pair of models doing a photo shoot for a magazine.)Perhaps the most unusual thing of all was the rules about cherry blossom etiquette that were printed and posted for all to see. For example: No climbing on the trees. No putting your child on a tree limb in order to take their picture. No picking blossoms. No breaking off branches. I mean, can you imagine that they would even need to tell people that? Why on earth would someone pull a stunt like that? “Oh, it won’t hurt anything if I break a small limb off this historic old tree.” That’s like climbing up and chiseling a chunk of marble off Lincoln’s nose just so you can have a personal keepsake of your visit to his Memorial.
Anyway, just so you know, Sandy and I personally did not climb any trees, pick any blossoms or break off any limbs. All we brought back with us were photographs and memories and a few spiritual reflections that I wanted to share with you.Reflection # 1: There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on to protect, preserve and maintain these historic cherry trees. Day after day, year after year, the National Park Service diligently nurtures them so that for two weeks each spring we all can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of their blossoms. Truly, the glorious blooms we see in April would not be possible without all the unseen hard work that takes place the other 11 ½ months of the year.
There is a parallel here with the Christian life. What we are in public is but an extension of what we are in private. Granted, sometimes people can put on a pretty good façade in public. But authentic, lasting spiritual fruit is only borne through the practice of unseen spiritual disciplines such as private prayer, personal bible reading, and a daily walk with God. As we practice these disciplines, God builds our inner character, equipping us for the work to which He has assigned us. And the evidence of this inner working ultimately blossoms forth, bringing honor not to us, but the One who planted us and cultivates us.
Reflection # 2: These historic cherry trees—planted as an act of friendship in 1912—have throughout the years weathered many storms—both literally and figuratively. They’ve been battered by inclement weather. They’ve even been confronted with the winds of war. For example, two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, four of the original cherry trees were sawed down by vandals angry at the Japanese. Japan had become our enemy. Today, thankfully, the old friendship has been restored, our relationship with Japan coming full circle. But through it all, regardless of the climate—meteorologically or politically—those old cherry trees around the Tidal Basin steadfastly continued to grow and bloom.In our own lives, we all weather many storms. Our relationships can weather storms. Our beliefs and convictions can weather storms as well. That’s why we need to remain firmly rooted and grounded in God’s Word. If our roots go down deep, there’s less likelihood of being uprooted and toppling over. Furthermore, if we regularly allow God to prune us with His Word, then we’ll not only be more fruitful; but we’ll also be less likely to crack and break under pressure when life’s winds of adversity blow our way.
There are lessons to be learned from the cherry trees. Let’s learn them and live them.
Pastor Danny
