This is one of my favorite times of the year.  In May, the Royal Poinciana trees bloom in brilliant flames of red and orange.   In South Florida, the bloom of the Poinciana trees came a little later but to me, they always signified the start of summer.  A friend of mine from Kerala, India said that in Kerala, the Poinciana is nicknamed the Kalvaripoo or flower of Calvary.  The disciple Thomas was a missionary to Southern India.  The legend of the Kalvaripoo says that there was a small Poinciana tree near the cross where Jesus was crucified and drops of Jesus’ blood turned the flowers a bright red.

A few years ago, we got new grass in our yard.  The grass was green and lush, like soft shag carpet.  As soon as the sod had been put down, Andrew went and lay down in the soft grass under the Poinciana trees.  He stared up at the red flowers and with a contended sigh he said, “Ahhh.  Nice and cozy.”  It’s great to be three, in the summertime, lying in the grass underneath a blooming Poinciana tree.

Lately, when I see the blooming Poinciana trees, I think of Andrew lying in the grass being “nice and cozy.”  Children live in the present in a way that adults find difficult.  They are not worried about the future like grownups.  When there is soft grass and a pretty tree, it is only natural to lie down underneath and relax.  When they are hungry, they know mommy and daddy will give them food.  They don’t worry about where they will go or what they will do next.  Children have low status.  They don’t occupy positions of importance, but that doesn’t bother them.  They are safe and secure knowing that their parents love them and will take care of them.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us that we must become like children.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’

Matthew 18:3-4

In the very next chapter, Jesus again speaks about children.

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’

Matthew 19:13-14

I’ve always wondered what it means to become like a child.  I have heard many sermons preached about it.  Lately, I am experiencing in a more personal way what it means to become like a child.  It means to relax.  It means to let go and have faith.  It means to trust that I have a Father who has everything under control.

In so many ways my circumstances are worse than they have ever been.  But I am experiencing a sense of peace that I have never known before.  What is going to happen?  Will we be okay?  Will we make it?  What are we going to do?  When I look at the Royal Poincianas with their brilliant colors I remember that I don’t have to know the answer to any of these questions.  I have a daddy who loves me unconditionally and will never let me go.  He is big enough to take care of any storm that comes my way.  I don’t have to worry.  I don’t have to fear.  I can relax.  I can lie down in the shade.  I can be nice and cozy.