the bark of the dogwood

Over the past week, dogwood trees have popped their ethereal blossoms that seem almost to float in air as you look into the woods.  I was curious how the dogwood tree got its name and used the convenient internet search.  Apparently the best name theory is that "dogwood" came from "dagwood".  The very hard wood of the tree was used to make "daggers", arrows or skewers.  So for hunters and warriors the dogwood was man's best friend.  I found an anonymous poem that has a nice devotional bent: 

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew

To a towering size with a lovely hue.

Its branches were strong and interwoven

And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.

Being distressed at the use of this wood,

Christ made a promise which still holds good;

"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow

To be large enough for such a tree, and so

Slender and twisted it shall always be

With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.

The petals shall have bloodstains marked in brown

And in the blossoms center a thorny crown.

All who see it will think of me,

Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.

Protected and cherished this tree shall be

A reflection of all of my agony."

Easter will soon be here...perhaps I will associate the lovely dogwood blossoms with the One who truly is Man's best Friend !

1 Peter 2:²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith