Paulownia Kawakamii

​Paulownia kawakamiis are the fastest growing hardwood trees in the world. Mine grew over 15 feet in one year. Their roots extend deep into the soil. Their green leaves are like elephant ears and aside from providing excellent shade, make superb fertilizer.  Kawakamiis produce flowers that are sapphire blue with yellow centers and for this reason are sometimes called sapphire dragons.  When our tree bloomed people would park their cars just to get pictures. The tree also produced pods with sticky seeds but this became a problem. In a heavy wind, the overburdened limbs snapped causing all kinds of havoc. After years of enduring falling branches I had to have our tree cut down for fear that someone might be injured.

​I kept four circular cuts over 18 inches (45.7 cm) in circumference width from the felled kawakamii and placed them in my backyard.  Imagine my surprise when the following year each cut produced buds that sprouted into small branches!  When a kawakamii tree is cut down, the stump regenerates and the tree grows back—it is virtually indestructible!  But how could branches grow from rootless cuts?  
 
Meditation
Luke 8:13—And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy.  Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.
 
Alice learned about Jesus from a friend. When told about her need for a Savior and the benefits of following Him, she readily became a convert.  She was excited to read her Bible and for about three months she actively attended her friend’s church.  But when her boyfriend left her and her job became exceedingly stressful, Alice stopped following Jesus.  The Russians have a proverb, “A person without friends is like a tree without roots.” Jesus said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches.  The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me” (John 15:5).  Rooted in Jesus, faith will not wither and fruit will result. Without Him we may sprout like the spring growth on a sliced kawakamii log—an illusion of health that slowly wilts to death.    
 
©2013 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)