Life has a way of pushing its way through our hard situations as if to defy the surrounding harshness much like the yellow daffodils insist on pushing their way through frozen soil to share their beautiful smiles.
The bulbs buried deep within the ground have to crack open to release yet another season of life. They’ve rested through the scorching heat of summer and the frigid temperatures of winter to emerge victorious in early spring.
They won. Their rest restored nutrients to the seed of their existence.
Maybe the daffodils understand the words of God in Psalm 23 — “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul,” — better than most of us. They don’t seem to resist or struggle against the long rest of summer and winter. They simply surrender to the rhythm and the will of their Creator. If they tried to bloom any longer, their tender blooms would droop in the sun’s heat and wither. They know their boundaries …their limitations.
In order to be the glorious display of beauty in their season, they inevitably have rest for months on end and give way to those who were created to flourish in the next season. It’s a give and take. Ebb and flow. A natural rhythm of life.
But their rest restores them and allows them to be one of the first to announce winter’s end and the glory of spring that is to come. They are contented in their role as early arrivals –as strokes of the first paint on a canvas of glorious colors of purple and pinks, bright greens and reds, orange and peach.
Their season may come in short spurts — here in the south, at least– but they burst triumphantly through the pile of mulching leaves like the rays of sunshine piercing through a cloudy sky. Their yellow bells ring in joy and hope to all of us who struggle through the cold and dreary winter blahs and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Life restored.
And I wonder, how do we respond to a season and rhythm of rest? Do we welcome it knowing it will produce much-needed restoration and refreshing or do we wrestle and struggle and fight against the very thing that will bring much peace and harmony for days ahead?
Do we even know how to rest in this fast paced world we’re planted in? Have we become dormant because we fought against the natural seasons of rest?
How do you feel about the word rest? Do you feel guilty or lazy? Too young? Too old? Not productive? Ineffective? Feeling of a loss of significance or purpose? Wondering if you’re past your prime?
Do you struggle with the idea of seasons and wish instead for the forever sunshine state?
What if we learned the grace of rain and rest? Of snow and ice that insulates? Of colder temps that give pause to annoying insects and disease?
What if we surrendered to the seasons our Creator designed for us and allowed each one to produce the good work for which it was intended?
What season are you in right now? Are you struggling in the place you’ve been planted? Have you found contentment hard to cultivate? Has your blooming season felt short-lived and maybe even unnoticed?
Let’s talk about it here …or with a friend there. Maybe we can work together to hear each other and be like water to a dry and thirsty plant who’s withering in the waiting.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”
Your time of rest is actually working for you. Spring is on the way. Light and LIFE are pushing through the darkness. Let the glorious you God created you to be bloom and grow in due season!
Just wanted you know you are loved and I’d love to keep the conversation going. Let me know how I can pray for you and hopefully I can respond with more encouragement along the way with the comfort and encouragement the Holy Spirit has given me.
May the God of all comfort give us mercy and grace as we keep walking it out with Him.
Loved “contented in their role.” It reminded me of a line from a documentary I watched today about Jean Vanier and L’Arche–“You are not everything, but you are something.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDnfdHQu-rg) Each person, even each part of creation, is precious and has value and purpose in the world. Each season is precious, as well. It is important to be present in each season and to be present to each person lest we miss what it means to be human and in the Beloved, what it means to truly live.
Ahhh…keep sharing. Such good words and thoughts you wrote here, my friend. We have to get together soon!! I Love having these kinds of conversations with you.