The Weight of Beautiful Things
Last Sunday, I couldn’t help but stop and admire the beautiful, deep fuchsia crape myrtle in our yard. My mother-in-law planted it many years ago, and every summer it bursts into the most breathtaking display of blooms. It was so stunning that I snapped a photo before heading back inside.
The next morning, I walked out the front door and couldn’t believe what I saw. Most of the tree was hanging down on the ground. Large limbs had cracked and splintered under the weight of the rain that had fallen overnight. We desperately needed the rain, but the blooms had soaked up so much water that the branches simply couldn’t hold them anymore. A smaller crape myrtle nearby suffered the same fate. It was heartbreaking.
After all these years, I’ve never seen anything like it. Now we’ll have to trim away the broken limbs and hope both trees recover.
As I stood there looking at the damage, I couldn’t help but think how much life is like that.
One day, everything can seem perfectly fine. We feel strong, productive, and full of joy. Then, almost overnight, life changes. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. James 4:14 reminds us that our lives are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” It’s a gentle reminder to hold each day with gratitude and trust God with the unknowns.
But another thought kept coming to mind.
It wasn’t disease or decay that broke the branches. It was the weight of the blooms after the rain.
Sometimes the very blessings God gives us can become heavy if we try to carry them on our own. Family, work, ministry, serving others—even good things—can begin to weigh us down until we find ourselves exhausted and stretched beyond what we can bear.
Jesus never asked us to carry those burdens alone.
He lovingly invites us:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Whether today finds you standing tall or feeling like one of those broken branches, remember this: the Gardener hasn’t given up on you. He knows exactly how to prune, restore, and strengthen what has been damaged. And just like our crape myrtle, I have every reason to believe there will be beautiful blooms again.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
July 17, 2026 Morning Brew
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