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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: MOURNING / MORNING (02/02/23)
FROM MOURNING TO MORNING

The willow tree stands commandingly, dominating the wildlife surrounding it. Its long, thin branches arch and bend toward the ground, drooping as if in mourning.

People travel to visit it, spending time and thought before they move on. They come to gaze on its powerful beauty and are arrested by its appearance of grief. Their own grief is touched as they absorb that of the tree. Some bend down and half-crawl to sit at its base. A careful observer might notice others silently weeping.

In the morning dew, the multitude of leaves glisten and shimmer as though shaking off the tears it has seen over the years. Perhaps that is why it is called the Weeping Willow. People do find comfort and the sense of peace nature offers. They walk away slowly, yet with the stronger step that comes from encouragement.

However, there are those who come bent low from the heaviest of all burdens: the burden of who they have become, of the falling short of what they’d once dreamed they would be, the burden of their own sin. No willow tree can resolve that burden.

More than two centuries ago, Jesus, God’s own Son, hung on a different tree, the cross on which He died for the sins of humankind. Three days later came Resurrection morning when Jesus conquered sin and death for all who receive Him. No more crying, no more dying. We stand tall and free and forgiven. Not bent, but bowed in gratitude and worship.
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This article has been read 167 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Graham Keet 
02/10/23
Good comparison between the weeping willow and the burden our own sin places on our lives and even our appearances.

Try to avoid using the words of the topic in your title (see submission rules).
Barbara Culler 
02/14/23
I like the word picture of morning dew on the willow --very poetic!
Shari Armstrong 
02/15/23
Hi from the FW Challenge Coordinator. There is *nothing* in the Submission rules about not using the words in the title of the entries https://www.faithwriters.com/challenge-submisson-guide.html

However, it was recommended in conversations in the forum to not use *just* the word (when it was a single word prompt) as the title to help reduce confusion between entries. You didn't use *just* the word/s, you did have a title From Mourning to Morning. Titles are NOT included in the judging categories.

You are fine. Thanks for entering!
Bonnie Clarkson
02/15/23
Excellent use of the willow tree and dew as a symbol of mourning. Very natural tie-in to the tree in the end, though I would liked to have seen there a tie-in to people's mourning over Jesus death.
Very good devotion, I think. Keep writing.
C D Swanson 
02/16/23
Great job with the topic.
Well done,
God Bless~