Just as soon as it seems to be here, summer seems to be coming to end. We are merely one month from terrible wildfires raging at our back doors, but God has been so gracious to send rain to soothe the burned ground.
Darling, Stephen & I planted 4 window boxes of flower at the beginning of summer; we did so last year and we loved watching Stephen watch plants grow. The flower boxes have been a great pleasure to us for the last 2 months. But now with summer coming to an end, I am seeking to find several plants to raise indoors. I am amazed at the joy and peace God grants me when I see green things growing.
Last week Darling bought me some gladiolas. I realized as he brought them through the door with a big smile on his face that: 1) God has granted me the kindest, most wonderful man in the world as my best friend and husband, and, 2) that I had not ever watched gladiolas bloom. I have had the giddiness of a child watching the peach blossoms bloom and become bigger every day. Simply by being themselves, they remind me to take joy in each day. I love what Jesus says when he refers to some lilies he is passing by. To his friends he says, "Consider the lilies of the field; they do toil or spin but they are more beautiful than Solomon in all his riches. Since God clothes the flowers of the field - which are here today and tomorrow are gone - how much more will He clothe you?" [Luke 12:22-32]
As Jesus does so often, he says many things in one phrase. There are many lessons, I believe, to be learned from this one moment. But one that I am learning -even now- is: 'Watch the flowers and learn of my nature. Flowers grow, bloom and fall to create seeds for next season. I care for each and every stalk. I am even more intimately aware of you, your needs and what life you may give when you seem to fall. There is no seed that falls to the ground without new life coming from it. The same and even more I will give to you.'
