A lesson at my kitchen window

I opened my heart to God, ready to learn about the permanent joy that God gives.

An abundance of enormous blossoms, haloed by the predawn light of a spring morning, covered the dogwood tree in my next-door neighbor’s backyard. From my kitchen window, I had a perfect view of it. Just looking at the tree filled me with a joy that I wanted to hold on to. As I gazed at that tree over the next several mornings, I thought to myself, “That is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen!” But soon the thought followed, “I wish it were mine!” 

Then one morning, the joy vanished. I realized that, though I still beheld the dogwood’s splendor, looking at it no longer sparked the joy that I had first felt. It was as if my initial delight in the tree’s beauty had been choked out by a growing longing for that tree to be mine.

Looking at the dogwood tree no longer sparked joy.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Image and Inspiration
Image and Inspiration
June 9, 2025
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit