Who knew that a few tulips in the front yard would offer so many object lessons? Here is what they look like now:

All the petals are missing, as they have blown off and fallen to the ground. Soon the leaves and stems will turn brown and wither.

The lesson has not escaped the boys, as both Derek and Jeremy separately reminded me of this verse in the Bible:

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. (Isaiah 40)

I thank God for giving us visual pictures of mysterious truths. I see every year what happens to the flowers–they fade, their petals fall to the ground. They are temporary. If only the word of God endures forever, then why would I want to put my trust in anything but Him?