Blooming

 In passing I said, "I'd like to clean out the flowerbed."

My sweet child, wanting to do something nice for me, cleaned it out in a very different way than I intended.

I came home from work to my beautiful, beloved peonies removed from their spot.

My friend Becky told me to leave whatever roots remained in the ground, and they might grow back.

Four years passed. I had lost hope. In fact, I had forgotten that I ever did.

A few months ago I noticed something growing in the general area the peonies had occupied, but I assumed it was some kind of weed and went about my business.

Until a few days ago when I noticed this bloom. It looks suspiciously like a peony bloom.

Afraid to hope, I scoured the internet for pictures.

And guess what?! It's a peony bloom.

Four years. I waited four years. Actually, I probably only waited for one, maybe two.

This is a friendly reminder that even if you don't see any fruit from a seed you've planted or roots you've put down, don't give up.

So many of the stories in scripture involve waiting, doubting, wondering. Sometimes even trying to figure out what they were doing wrong or what they weren't doing at all. God made a promise and when it didn't happen in the way they expected or in the timing they wanted, they gave up or tried to help.

Until finally, what God had promised would happen, did.

Trust God. He's working.

Plant the seed. Lay down the root. Wait for God to give the increase.