Have you ever had low expectations for something but gone ahead with it anyway? That’s how I felt when I purchased a Christmas cactus in late May. It was blooming at the time and I was happy to pay the small asking price.
Prior experience with these plants had not been good. Previous ones had either never blossomed or had done so once and not again. Even though my hopes weren’t high, we continued to care for this plant after the flowers were finished.
Not long ago I noticed buds forming on a few of the leaves. Soon I was rewarded with one flower and the promise of more to follow. This plant that had appeared dormant for many months was showing its beauty once again.
I smiled as I gazed at the showy magenta flower and realized that I had just been presented with a good analogy for life.
After a period of productivity I have often fallen into what appears to be a dormant stage. No matter how much I struggled, it seemed that my life had been put on hold. I wondered what I was doing wrong.
What I need to remember is that God is always working in me. The periods that seem like inactivity are his way of caring for me as he prepares me for the next phase of my life. These periods of rest should be appreciated. There is more going on beneath the surface than I realize. No matter what the season, when God is working in my life, the results will be worth the wait.
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14 NIV)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
So true Tandy.
It’s hard to be patient but it’s worth it.
I guess we all need resting periods too.
Thanks so much for sharing your great insights.
Thanks for your comments Noel. I don’t always find it easy to be patient but it helps when I remember there is probably a reason for the wait!
The result is always worth the wait – yes! Sometimes we don’t realize that and we beat ourselves up, but like your persevering plant, with God on our side, we bloom! Nice, Tandy!
Thanks for your comment Glynis. As I look back on my life I see the work that was being done to prepare me for the next step – and all when I thoight nothing was happening! We serve an amazing God.