We planted a flowering tree in memory of Jacob Fekete our son after he died. Later we transplanted it in 2017 when we sold our old house and moved. I named the tree Jacob Feketree.

Last fall I noticed signs that the tree might be dying. Spring has now arrived. There are no buds and there will be no blossoms. My fears are confirmed.

I am a sentimental kind of guy. The tree means something to me. The spring blossoms always remind me of Jacob and the hope in Jesus who gives life and beauty to all things.

The death of the tree also reminds me of Solomon’s wisdom concerning the times and seasons of life. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.)

Born to die. Planted to be plucked. Nothing remains the same.

Given enough time every season in life will change. This is true of grief. Our mourning is turned into joy eventually. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, part of my heart is gone, but time does bring new seasons and for that I am thankful.

I will be plucking Jake Feketree from the ground soon. A reminder for me of the promise of Jesus to all who believe in him. We will be plucked from the earth also, in the twinkling of an eye- in his time.

Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” She answered, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:23-26.)

Can you answer with her?

“Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”