*The LEGEND Of The DOGWOOD

Every year during the Springtime in the heart of the Easter season the Dogwood flower blossoms. The Dogwood reveals to us a most amazing story. The flower is in the shape of a cross; it has blood red coloring in the areas of the head, hands, and feet the same places that Christ was pierced and crowned with a crown of thorns. A tree that was an instrument of death became the tree of life. From the center of the pedal comes what looks like a crown symbolizing the crown of thorns worn by our savior. New life is bursting forth out of the agony of suffering from the crown of thorns to now a crown of glory. Through the agony and suffering of the cross follows a resurrection. There is much to learn from this beautiful pedal, God lovingly reminds us every year how much He loves us. Through what Jesus accomplished for us through all His suffering and the glory of His resurrection we can have new life when  we have faith in Him and his gift of eternal life.

After hearing the story of Moses as a little girl, I prayed for a baby brother and believed he would be named ‘John’ the Baptist! God’s hand was on John D Clay’s life for 55 years. Five is the number of ‘grace’. John D was born on April 23rd. When Mom and Dad brought our new baby brother home from the hospital, a small name plate trimmed with dogwood petals marked his room! I later began a poem…

“Each year when the dogwood blooms, I’m reminded of the John Clay baby room…”

It became a source of John D’s big smile and laughter . . .

About one month before he went to heaven, tears running down his cheeks,

John D shared with our dear friend Lisa and me:

“All my life  -more than anything in the world, all I have ever longed for

is to hear Jesus speak to me.”

We believe he was granted “Double Grace on 5/25/2024 at the age of 55.”

John D is now FREE and in the arms of Jesus. Surrounded by friends who love John D and our family, today we honored him by supporting First Liberty Institute which embraces so much of what his life is and was about.

Blessings, Love and LIFE!

 ~ Lucy