Some of you may be wondering why I chose to name this blog Cypress and Myrtle. A quick search in the Bible leads to Isaiah 55:12–13:
“You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
These verses were shared with me at my baptism, and they’ve been etched in my heart ever since. They’ve whispered hope during dark seasons and magnified joy in times of celebration.
From Exile to Hope
Isaiah 55 was written during a painful time in Israel’s history – their exile in Babylon. They were a displaced people, longing for freedom, identity, and peace. It was in this context that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, painting a vision of restoration; hope for a future filled with renewal and joy.
Why Cypress and Myrtle?
In verse 13, the thornbush is replaced by the cypress (sometimes translated juniper), and the brier by the myrtle. These are deeply symbolic plants.
The cypress is tall, evergreen, and strong—often associated with life, endurance, and eternal hope.
The myrtle, with its fragrant leaves and white blossoms, is a symbol of peace, joy, and divine blessing in Jewish tradition.
Together, they represent a transformation from pain to beauty, from despair to delight, from exile to restoration.
This speaks to the very heart of God’s nature. He doesn’t just remove the thorns in our lives. He replaces them with something better. Something beautiful. Something enduring.
A Name and a Reminder
I named this blog Cypress and Myrtle to remind myself—and hopefully others, that we are never stuck in the wilderness forever. Whether we’re walking through sorrow or standing on a mountaintop, God’s promises still hold. He is always working to bring about renewal and restoration.
This space is where I hope to share stories, reflections, and everyday moments where I see God’s hand turning thorn bushes into cypress trees, and briers into blossoming myrtle.
No matter where you are in your journey, may these verses remind you: there is purpose in the waiting, hope in the silence, and beauty still to come.
Cypress And Myrtle 