I had an opportunity to take a quick trip to the Florida Keys this past weekend, on a buddy-pass from the Brummett’s, who pulled me in tow on their family vacation. This was my first experience loafing in the warmth along the south Florida coastline. It was a sweet release from coming to blows with a relentless Old Man Winter, who continues to clash with my Spring penchant. The Atlantic breeze was balmy, the island views breath-taking, and the salty ocean waters soothing.
What I experienced in the Keys unlocked the cheery, carefree, and courageous side of Casey. This was the first instance I have ever taken a vacation and didn’t have “a plan.” In fact, there was no set itinerary of any kind, and no pressure to do anything or be anywhere at any given time. It was, in a word, liberating. By nature, I am a planner and I like structure and to some extent predictability, but this key opened the door to my spontaneous side and I rather liked it. This was also my first vacation in five years without my husband at my side, joining me in the adventure. That part I didn’t like it all.
On day one, we toured the Key Largo bay area in the sunlight, and ate seafood at a waterfront restaurant by moonlight. Squeezed in between, Jen and I took in a parasailing expedition and floated above the ocean waters at 600 feet in the air. We dangled and drifted there gracefully, with nothing but a Swedish saddle and nylon rope tethering us from the speeding boat below to the chute above that whipped in the wind rhythmically. That day we also visited the beaches at Pennekamp State Park where I was able to swim to a rocky inlet and hunt for sand crabs, that is, until the rocks and petrified coral got the best of my tender feet. Day two was spent reading and relaxing pool side. On day three, we ventured to Key West, which is further south through the series of islands that adorn the waters like a strand of pearls. We walked a bit, rested, and repeated this progression for several hours. Whenever we stopped to rest, we had to sample the local fare proferred along Duval street. We ended the day by visiting the southern-most point of land in the continental U.S., just 90 miles outside of the borders of Cuba. On my fourth and final day of my short sponger trip, I went sea kayaking in the Florida Bay with Teresa (Brummett), while the others carved out time to dive or swim.
Paddling in the ocean waters in a kayak was the pinnacle of my Florida vacation. As I spooned my ores through the calm waters and marveled at God’s creation, I began thinking and praying about what god-sized truth I could share with you this week. As we paddled, it became as clear as the waters that surrounded me.
The three-hour kayaking instruction and guided tour lead us into the bayside enclave of a complex ecosystem comprised of saltwater forests and tropical grasses. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. This is where I was introduced to the red, black and white mangroves. These are the three most prominent mangroves species in the area and each occupies a different area of the coastline. The red mangroves species (also called “tourist trees” by the locals, because the tree bark is red, cracked and peeling) intrigued me the most. My curiosity about these trees compelled me to ask a lot of questions, so stick with me if this sounds like a science lecture; I hope to make my point in the following paragraphs.
As you know, all plants require fresh water in order to carry out photosynthesis. However, living in a saltwater environment can make this task a real challenge for mangroves, which root in the ocean floor and appear to hover in the water. At higher salt concentrations, the mangroves must expend a great deal of energy pulling water into its system and secreting excess salt. Interestingly, it is the red mangroves that live and thrive closest to the oceans’ edge because of their ability to withstand a high absorption of saltwater. As our guide (Tom) pointed out, there is a unique process taking place that is evident in the leaves of these red mangroves: a process, that I believe, can only be attributed to the Magnitude and the Majesty of an Almighty God.
On each cluster of leaves, green and vibrant, is one lonely yellow leaf. Tom called the yellow one’s a “sacrificial leaf” and that really caught my attention. He explained that this leaf is selected as the one who can withstand the greatest amount of salinities and impurities. The other leaves filter the salt to this sacrifical leaf. The yellow leaf eventually dies, so that the green leaves can live and thrive. Therein lies a great truth that points me to the Life that can only be found in Jesus Christ, the One who was selected by God to absorb the sins of the world, so that we might all live and thrive! He took the sacrifice for me and for you. What an awesome thought and what a beautiful picture of God’s love for us found right in those mangrove tourist trees.
This week my challenge to you is this: in the wake of the sadness and hopelessness that people are experiencing all across the United States right now, find a way to communicate the truth of God’s love to someone using an unconventional approach or utilize this forum to share a god-sized revelation or experience, so that others reading these pages can learn from it. Help someone else find the keys that unlock the mysteries of God.
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)