I first discovered what a crepe myrtle was on a family trip to Virginia. These trees were all over, in varying colors. My favorite was the deep rose variety. I kept admiring them throughout the vacation, wondering if they would grow in New Jersey.

A few years later, a new garden center had them for five dollars as part of a grand opening sale. How could I resist that? Rushing over, I found the color I wanted and home it came with me. Now granted, it was a small sapling, but I was excited.

I assumed one day it would look like the beautiful tree you see above. That didn’t happen.

Since I couldn’t decide where to plant it, the little tree sat in its pot over the winter. When it bloomed the following year, it had one white branch. The year after, it was half rose and half white. I didn’t like this, but figured, oh well, it’s unique. I planted it in the front yard.

Each successive year, it seemed the tree was turning more white than rose. Each year I complained as I passed it, reminding the family I’d wanted a rose one, not white.

By 2014, this is what we had:

Not happy.

Three more years and this:

Last summer as I came up the walkway, a Bible verse came to mind:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 (KJV)

Hmm. Maybe if nothing else, this annoying tree could give me a spiritual lesson. After all, that is my goal as a Christian, to become more like Jesus. I decided to let it represent how I want to live.

This year the now sacred tree is still blooming with one section of rose, but the white is surrounding and enclosing it, so it can barely be seen.

I feel humbled. A Bible lesson in my front yard! Sometimes, it’s just all in how you look at it.

~Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”