The first camellia bloom of the new year...and, wouldn't you know it, it opened this morning. How did that hardy little bloom know I needed a reminder today of God's faithfulness? How did this little guy realize that yours truly needed to remember thankfulness and gratitude?
The Sovereign Lord strikes again! (As He always does. I'm just a mighty good "forgetter.")
Let's face it: there are simply days, even brief seasons, where we grow weary and discouraged for no immediately identifiable reason...other than, perhaps, the ordinary wear and tear of life. The last few days for me have been that sort of season.
Chalk it partly up to late January and February...at least in my little universe, the most challenging, wearying time of the whole year. Christmas joy long gone. Spring impossibly distant. Gloomy, chilly weather (ugh). Busyness and activities resumed full throttle. Some friends and family enduring hard, dark times. And lots of brown and more brown all around.
And then the Lord goes and does something like this--a tiny, bright, blood-red bloom to remind us all--I'm here! I'm working and moving and redeeming and transforming in a million different ways in a billion different places...just because you can't see My work means absolutely nothing! You need to see through the lens of faith. Which means walking by faith, not by sight.
But just in case, our gracious, loving Abba, Father, sends His little gifts here and there to remind us. A solitary flower--the color of Jesus bloody death...that He died for you and for me. The bloom of life...that He rose again to give us. The buds all around--the promise that just as winter will not last forever, neither will this season of downheartedness.
God's creation sings of His faithfulness, His goodness, His power, His majesty, His love. If the trees of the forest can "sing for joy," how can not we? Each bloom singing a hymn of praise--"He's good! He's here! He's love! He's grace! He's Life!" Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to join in the chorus of thanksgiving and praise, even in winter's darkness, even in life's discouragement.
For You. Are. Infinitely. Worthy. And Wonderful!
I loved these words from Edward Welch: "Joy takes practice. Study joy in the Psalms...the goodness of God is shot through creation [Amen!] and the church, so joy is always possible. When you can't see it, return to the cross and appreciate the beauty of what Jesus did. [Did you hear that weary soul?] Appreciate the beauty of His sacrifice--His willingness to be come like us and give up everything. Appreciate the beauty of His love. Just behold it. Admire it. Splendor ascends over the sorrow of life....Some say that joy is the serious business of heaven. But don't think that this is just for the sweet by-and-by. The kingdom of heaven began with power when Jesus came, so you can get into the family business even now."
Yes, Lord, yes! Thank You for relinquishing so infinitely much in order to bring us redemption. Thank You for the hideous, terrible, wondrous, beauty of the cross. Thank You for coming and giving us life--eternal, abundant Life. And joy--Your supernatural indefatigable joy.
Finally, Father, thank You for the constant gifts of little breadcrumbs--like Your camellia bloom-that are sprinkled along our way...pointing us, reminding us of the way back home. Home to joy. Home to hope. Home to You.
Keep our eyes of faith open to see Your breadcrumb gifts that we might join in the joyful chorus of giving You all the praise and thanks.
To God be the glory.
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