After weeks of words being buried, here is where I am today. Thank you so much for your kindness over the past few weeks. I am feeling the love, for sure.
I bought a flower bulb on clearance at Target last January when she was studying plants. We watered and waited and danced with joy as green leaves sprouted up and roots grew down. But the beauty fizzled as quickly as it began, and we were left with only the remnants of life. In an act of desperation we dug a whole in the front yard and tossed the plant inside. All summer long while we swam and chalked up the sidewalk, it lay quietly under a couple of inches of sandy, dry earth. We were stunned in December when green leaves shot up from the ground unexpectedly. Our celebration was cut short as a blast of cold air came through town and killed any signs of hope blooming. I could tell she was more than disappointed. Nothing is harder to learn than wait.
Last week she came running in the house and said, “Mommy, it is going to bloom.“ Sure enough, I went to see and there were two buds emerging as if to tell us, “Get ready girls, the show is about to begin.” It should be any day now and she peeks out the window each morning to check. “Wouldn’t it be neat if they bloom for Easter?” She says with a grin. My heart melts because I was thinking the same thing.
Surprises burst into our lives in all sorts of ways. We had another one show up last week that we wish we could toss it in a big hole and cover with dirt. You know the kind that begins with a phone call and ends with you wishing you could go back to the moment right before the phone rang and life got messy. So while we wait for pathology tests and cancel plane tickets for Grandma to come, we learn hard lessons, too. We begin to think nothing good can come from something so bad, until friends show up with bread and their prayers help you breathe in and out.
I turn the porch light off before bed and catch a glimpse of our own little Easter lesson in our front yard. I am reminded that in the darkest of night, God is always working something for our good. See, the hard road is never chosen, but once you are on it, hope blooms at the right time and place. Always.
Oh friend, life does seem like it is just too much sometimes.
I am praying for you and yours, and rejoicing with you the promise of spring, and the remembrance of the resurrection!!
Isn’t this the truth “Surprises burst into our lives in all sorts of ways. ” You have beautifully written about hope – in all situations. Thank you, Stacey.
This post reminds me of a story I used to read to my kids at Easter time (but I can’t think of the title). Hope often lays below the surface where we can’t see it, but we know at just the right time it will resurrect itself. I think your words have returned, just like hope. Beautiful post Stacey.
We love that book Shelly and yes it has stirred in my head as I was writing this. Funny how a children’s book has so much truth in it! Thank you for encouraging me today.
No easy comments when the waiting is hard and the way is scary. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how waiting increases longing–longing for peace and joy and healing and wholeness. I’m not very good at this waiting thing, but God has been so patient with me. And He is good.
Prayers for your sweet family my friend. It was an honor to get to be there and pray for you 🙂
My heart goes out to you as well as my prayers, giving thanks for small reminders of hope. God bless you!
oh, I wrote about lessons in flowers today too! {only mine is a lilac}. So much truth, right at our feet, no? beautiful.
Oh friend, I know a similar road recently. And I know without a doubt our grace God goes before your family, purposefully and in love.
I know you know friend. Praying for you and your family right now!
Yes, Yes, yes!!!
This is gold:
“I am reminded that in the darkest of night, God is always working something for our good. ”
Thank you for this GREAT reminder today Stacey!
Thank you for the encouragement today..God has blessed your words:) My daughter and I have been eagerly waiting and watching our tulip bulbs emerge and bloom here lately and its been such a thrill to her..now I have a beautiful word picture to go with it:) Im so sorry your are going through a tough time of waiting right now and I can certainly relate..many prayers for you and your family:)
Stacey, your words are amazing here! I am with you in the joy and brought low in the angst and sorrow!
Hope blooms…what a lovely metaphor for those hard places where we wonder if the things buried will ever come to life.
I don’t know all the details…but I lifted you and family up to our Dad today…
Stacey, what a beautiful post! My breath caught when I thought about hope in the midst of the darkest days. If God takes us to the hard road, He will most certainly be there to walk with us and guide us along it. So glad I clicked on your blog link when I did!
In Christ,
Laura
So glad you took this story into penned words. It will become a stone of remembrance in the legacy of God’s faithfulness to you, your daughter, and your family.
Been praying for you, sweet sister in Christ!
I love that idea of it becoming a stone of remembrance Lisa. That is a beautiful picture! Thanks so much.
He is there, in the darkness, shining His light, although we cannot often see it. There is always hope, for He is that which we cling to. Praying for you and your family today my friend.
“See, the hard road is never chosen, but once you are on it, hope blooms at the right time and place. Always.”
yes! always!
Praying for you friend. Thanks for sharing what you are learning even in the hard moments. Or maybe not even learning but feeling and experiencing. I appreciate that. I am confident He will meet you right where you are at.
Beautiful words about hope – thanks, Stacey!
surely do love how God gives us His beauty
Especially when I think I’ve ruined it….and He blooms hope right in front of me! 🙂 He is so good to us.