I saw the buds of a willow catkin in my mind's eye but hadn't realised that there is quite a large number of other trees, such as Oak, Poplar, Birch, Alder and Hazel to name but a few, that bear catkins in winter or in spring before the leaves appear. A catkin is a cluster of unisexual flowers that have no petals. When fully developed, they are predominantly long and thin, hanging down like a young lamb's tail. Catkins are important as they provide food and shelter for wildlife, and add beauty to the landscape. How lovely to liken these unisexual catskins to all of us and we are all wild if you think that all of us can go off track and no one is perfect, and that we can all provide a form of beauty around of us such as with a genuine encouraging smile. I have linked this picture to a parable Jesus gave of a great banquet whereby the expected invitees of the host said they were too busy to attend so the host sent his servants off to invite the sick, the lame, the poor - indeed absolutely anyone who wanted to attend the banquet. (Luke 14:16-24). Remember God wants all of us, not those who you might expect to be His preferences. It is a matter of accepting His invitation.
