“Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'” John 13:7

Trimming

At our home we have a brick wall along the street. When we moved to this house, Floyd planted some small bougainvillea plants along the wall. Now, all these years later, they are massive plants.

A while ago I knew they needed to be trimmed back. I had the man who helps me with our garden cut them—but he cut them much more extensively than I planned. I actually wondered if he had overdone it and they would die.

They have “come back” more beautiful than ever. I share a photo below. They are stunningly gorgeous! Cars stop and take photos. Neighbors have sent me messages thanking me for them. Yesterday I went out to check our mailbox and found people standing in the garden along the street taking photos. Every time I see these flowers, I can’t help but smile. They are bringing such joy to me and to others.

So many times we go through trials, pain, suffering. We wonder if it will “kill” us. It seems harsh. It feels like too much. We wonder if we’ll survive what’s happened.

I can so relate to those thoughts. I must confess that there have been days on this unexpected journey when I didn’t know if I’d make it. To say it’s been “difficult” is too mild a word. It has been severe! I feel like everything in our lives has been drastically “trimmed.” I have no idea how we’ll recover or what the future holds.

And yet as I’ve looked at these gorgeous flowers, my faith is strengthened. Fresh hope has sprung up in my heart. I know there is beauty to come. It may only be in eternity, but good, beautiful, wondrous growth will come into our lives from this time of being “cut back.” My trust in what God has for us is renewed once again.

I’m so grateful for the lesson of these flowers. I’ve told Floyd what a gift and blessing they have been to our neighborhood. From those few small plants has come such life and beauty—even after being cut back!

The hard times don’t last forever. It may seem that way! But the times goes by eventually to a new season. One of the things that has kept me sane is to look for the “good” in this particular season. It’s there! I may have to search a bit, but so much good has come from this journey.

 “Father, thank You for going before us in our trials and pains. Thank You for Your deliverance. We will hold on to You, take a deep breath, and trust You. Amen.”