Just A Little Different

Like many people, I love beaches and exploring how different they are around the world. The current beach is on Ambergris Caye – an island 32 miles into the Caribbean off the coast of Belize City. It is an hour and a half water taxi ride.

I haven’t been to many Caribbean islands. Dear friends of mine have rented a house here on the beach and invited me to visit for a few days between their kids coming and going. It’s all about bed availability. I’m here for two days and loving it.

Yesterday morning I went out and took a few pics as I began exploring. As I looked back over them, something caught my eye that I had not seen when I was taking the picture.

One palm tree was different than the others. Looking closer, I could tell it has been through some “stuff”. I don’t know what that could have been, but it was obvious this tree was a survivor. It sticks out as being very different. All day, my eye was drawn to it and my mind began to identify with it.

As I go out this morning, it is still there.

Having overcome all life has put it through, it still stands, still beautiful in its own way. Maybe a storm blew through, knocked it off center and leaned it way over on its side. Ok. It continued its struggle to survive. Its roots have been eroded on the water side but the roots on the back have become stronger, keeping it grounded to a source of nourishment, allowing it to survive.

Observing it leaning over so dramatically, my eye moved toward the top of the palm. Not only was it thriving but it had changed the direction it was growing. The trunk of the tree was almost parallel with the water, but at the top, the light of the sun moved the new growth upwards. The palm fronds were reaching for the sky.

I’m curious how it grew parallel to the ground then like a normal tree developed its fronds upward in an attempt to look like all the other palms surrounding it. The only difference is that its fronds are about eight feet off the ground compared to the twenty feet of others in the vicinity.

To me – its beauty is all I see. So – even in my scarred state – even when I look different – I am going to remember to embrace different-my different. I can learn to be content in my altered state. I am proudly going to keep my face turned up toward the life sustaining source of Light – my Savior.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”