The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

{Pink-blooming Dogwood ~ front yard}

At the time of the crucifixion, the Dogwood had reached the size of a mighty oak. So strong & firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber of Jesus' cross. To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, & in His compassion said,

"Because of your pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow strong enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent & twisted, & its blossoms will be in the form of a cross ~ 2 long & 2 short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the prints of the nails. In the center of the flower, stained w/blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."
{www.appleseeds.org}

Even before I was a Christian, I had heard the Legend of the Dogwood Tree & it had always been very special to me. {Even then, He was preparing my heart toward Himself.} I have been blessed by it &, after becoming a Christian, it has served me in special ways . . .

When our 1st daughter, Jessica, died I designed her stone. One of her favorite toys was a soft little flannel lamb that 1 of my husband's aunts had made (which we buried w/her), so I had a little lamb on 1 side of the pink granite stone & a cross w/Dogwood blossoms on it on the other (top left, hard to see in this photo);

{Pink-blooming Dogwood ~ front yard}

also, for Jessica, a Jewish couple who were close friends of our family blessed us w/a memorial pink-blooming Dogwood planted at a local arboretum in Jessica's name.

{Pink-blooming Dogwood ~ front yard}

We also have a lovely pink-blooming Dogwood in our front yard. This year, it is especially beautiful w/large, deep pink blossoms.

So now, when you see a Dogwood, you can tell your children that it is a symbol of the great love & mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in more ways than it's simple Spring-time beauty.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><