Different, but the Same

When I think of a leaf
I think of suffering, joy, and the Lord.
If you think of a leaf’s life.
It is not much different than ours.

A leaf bud sprouts on a branch,
It grows into a child,
It is young, but full of life.
It continues to grow into a young man
And everyday becomes brighter
For the world to see.
Yet people don’t notice it
Because there are tons of leaves
And he is one of the many on a single tree.

Fall comes and he is grown into a beautiful light
The Lord sets it free and sends it into suffering.
Even though the leaf
Feels hurt and lonely,
Being stepped on everyday
It realizes the beauty
That he is creating.
The crunch of the leaves
And the wonders of fall
Is why he is suffering.
And that God put him there is a reason.

A leaf and a human
Have different lives
Yet are both creations of the Lord’s work.
God made everything
In the image of his love and mercy,
What difference is there
Between us and a leaf?
We are both beautiful and here for a reason.
Really, is there a difference?