I have been fond of ornamental palms for some time. I have come across about 12 varieties of palms during my visit to public or private gardens. In fact, we have had five palms in pots, for thirty years in our garden, four of which we gave away recently to a childre's home and carried one with us, while relocating in Kerala.
The ornamental palm tree that I have a particular interest is the one, which would multiply with new shoots. The palm tree whose photo you can watch here, added three more stems during the last two years. The palm we brought with us has twenty two stems from one common root. They grow by multiplying. What draws our attention is its stem and the lush green leaves, which sway easily in the wind and dance to its tune. It occupies prominent place in any garden and is often noticed by visitors.It needs water and seasonal manure and nutrients. The leaves need trimming and the drying leaves need to be cut away.
The specialty of this type of palm trees is that once it is planted in a soil with access to water, it multiplies to form several root bundles from which the new stems spring. It has no choice of the soil, shade, or terrain. The gardener places it where ever he chooses to do so. In fact only some gardeners think favourably of the palm tree and its needs. The palm tree overcomes the hostile environment and multiplies its stem.
I carry with me a message from this palm tree. We have some choices open to us in life, Many a times, we are not given choices. We are made to go through circumstances or experiences that we did not choose. On such occasions, we resent, react, question or try running away from such situations. Is there an alternative1 The palm tree reveals us the alternative.
No matter what the circumstances are, we are called to bear fruit in several folds. The ability to do so is given to us by God of our circumstances. How can we be anything else, when we are told by Jesus of Nazareth,that, 'I am the the wine and you are the branches'! 'His full giving has only begun', 'when our hoarded resources are exhausted' in the words of Annie Johnson Flint. None can deter or stop us from demonstrating God's multiplying grace, whatever may be the circumstances!
M..C. Mathew (text and photo)
' Many a time, we are not given choices.....no matter what the circumstances are, we are called to bear fruit.... He is the vine, we are the branches..None can deter us from demonstrating God's multiplying grace ..' These lines ring so true ! It is a reminder that though life is not easy, we are promised strength and grace.
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