By, Ginger E. Mosher

www.GEMgallery.org

​© All rights reserved by Ginger E. Mosher

Two blossoming cherry branches—sparkling with crystals of sunlit dew—stand united in the vase beside my favorite chair for prayer. As they catch the morning light streaming through the window, I am filled with wonder at the blessings and miracles of God that these two branches represent. There is a sweet strength in their story of love and marriage to be told, but first a miracle must be shared.

It was past the midnight hour at the hospital, when in prayer, my son received an unexpected and unexplained vision while we were praying for a miracle for a man in a coma with cancer, not expected to live through the night. The vision was of a cherry tree but its meaning was a mystery to everyone except God. The following morning, the person we prayed for not only lived through the night but woke up—healed of cancer—asking for cherry popsicles, of which he surprisingly ate seven. With grateful hearts, we praised God for this healing miracle and wondered at His mysterious ways with cherry trees.

A few days later, I saw this precious vase holding two blossoming cherry branches in a local store and simply had to have it. Every morning it reminds me of God’s miraculous love in our midst and His personal involvement in every moment of our lives and relationships. Enjoying its beauty, I saw the comparison of the two branches being joined to that of two individuals coming together in marriage and this verse came to mind. "For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they will become one flesh” —united in holy love and marriage. (Genesis 2:24 NASB1995)

With this inspiration, I brushed and blended the light-infused rose-colored background of the painting reminiscent of a wineskin. In Matthew 9:17 (NKJV) we are taught to “put new wine into new wineskins,” to preserve the wine. Old wineskins—old ways, patterns, or relationships cannot contain or sustain the love union God created us to enjoy. Like a cancer, marriages built on faulty foundations and erroneous expectations steal our joy, peace, health, and more. But when Jesus gave His life for us, He demonstrated the new wineskin. Through His word and His actions, we understand how to love those around us. He laid His life down for His bride and we are instructed to do the same for each other in love, honor, care, and respect. In following His lead, our relationships are blessed and our marriages become a beautiful reflection of His love for us.

What started as a simple story about a still life painting came alive with a life-giving miracle. From there it became a testimony of Christ’s love for His people, His bride. Since cherries are known to have cancer healing properties—I believe they symbolize God’s desire and ability to heal and restore our relationships to His divine design. He wants our marriages whole, rewarding, and overflowing with His love. Like beautiful cherry trees in the spring, God wants our marriages blessed, blossoming, and bearing good fruit. Whether newlyweds or celebrating years of marriage—with new wineskins established—it is neither too soon nor too late for the truest of loves. All things are possible with Christ at the center because He loves us and wants us to experience His love through our union with each other.​

Cherry Blossom Branches