Glimpsing Hope

I know. It’s not a very impressive planter, is it? However, it’s a symbol of hope. Let me explain why. 

I received these flowers from our church on Mother’s Day. I’m not a mother, but it’s so nice  that they include women who haven’t given birth to their own. Many women act as (or like) mothers in other capacities, whether they mother their friends, family, or children that aren’t their own. 

When I spotted this pot I’d set in the corner of the backyard, I realised that it had been neglected. However, there was a good reason for its neglect.

Around the same time I’d planted these marigolds and salvia, I went to a nursery to purchase some more flowers. Because I purchased begonias, which don’t tolerate an abundance of water, I held back on watering all of my plants as the rain would be sufficient. It wasn’t until recently that we started receiving the steady sun and hot weather. Regular watering is now needed.

Now that the heat is on, I’ve begun watering generously. I know that given the care and attention needed, these plants can thrive. The soil can be improved with water and fertilizer, and apparently, both marigolds and salvia tolerate the heat well. 

Though the salvia is barely even recognizable, I’m hopeful it will recover, given the little green leaves sprouting from its sturdy stem. This glimpse of hope makes me wonder just what God spares us (or others) from by withholding for a season. Even for many seasons. When the time is right, He generously waters as needed.

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God Makes Us Wait (The Parable of the Weeds)

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

God Can Return to us Joy. 

We have seen years of trouble.

Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow.

Show your servants the wonderful things you do;

show your greatness to their children.

Lord our God, treat us well.

Give us success in what we do;

yes, give us success in what we do.

Psalm  90:15 -17 (New Century Version)