Spring. How early it visits in the South. Might be my very favorite thing about living here.🌱
People like to declare, “The change, it seemed to happen overnight!”
But I kind of disagree.
It really does not happen “overnight.”
There’s work involved.
Most people just don’t know how to watch for it.
Early spring requires a careful looking.
A stopping.
A noticing of the small and almost imperceptible.
Maybe the loudest pops of fuschia and bright yellows do explode seemingly while we sleep, but first, they must begin with the tiniest buds of pale green.
Almost invisible—unless willing to pay close attention.
We won’t notice them in our rushing.
And though I love the bold drama of a tree in bloom, I love even more those baby buds so hard to see.
BECAUSE—
That is actually where hope is truly found.
It’s easy to believe warm weather is fast approaching when staring into the face of sunny daffodils or hot pink saucer magnolias.
That’s not hope, that’s hard evidence.
AND —
Faith isn’t seeing and then believing, it’s believing before seeing.
Or it isn’t really faith.
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” ~ Hebrews 11:1
I know we all long for the surety of full bloom. We gaze at those frothy flowers, and, with confidence, proclaim it a beautiful tree and more to come.
BUT —
Is it possible that Jesus wants us first to trust Him?
To trust Him for what He’s doing?
For what He’s bringing?
For what He has promised?
I’ll admit, this is hard for me. I like the evidence. I like proof, clarity, results!
But this year God has held me in a place requiring me to stop and look more closely.
To stop and look and have faith.
The evidence of His love has been a bit harder to see. I’ve had to look more intently for those little buds of blessing—for those tiny gifts of grace.
Yes, it has been challenging, but it has also been faith building.
If your trees aren’t yet dressed in bright colors, I encourage you to stop for a minute and look more closely.
Have faith. Have hope.
See His love.🌸
#reclaimingfebruary #HisLove #new🌱
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