
It was a bulb, a big bulb, a big dirty bulb. It looked like a huge onion half-buried in the flowerpot. And there it sat. Doing nothing. Nothing I could see anyway. I dribbled a little water into it occasionally and set it near the only window of my house that gets (sort-of) direct sunshine. Though tempted, I did not disturb its comfy little nest of soil and root and onionyness. Now at this point, anyone reading who is a gardener will know the subject of my observations. I have not done well with such a plant before. I don’t recall ever actually seeing an Amaryllis bloom in my home, whether in Kitsap County, Coeur d’Alene, Great Falls, or far-flung Omaha. Never a bloom over the years when a well-meaning person would give me such a bulb of hope. A particularly gracious, hope-filled friend gave me this half-planted oniony thing in late November. And so I watched. I waited. I commented. I did not forget it and I did not over-water! I so much did not want to fail again and thus be proven an unacceptable host to this fruit cake of houseplants.
On December 20, I noticed a hint of green amongst all the brown onion bits. I watered a dribble and wondered … maybe?! Maybe this time I won’t be disappointed. The vigil continued. The green thing was about an inch tall by Christmas Day. And then? Well, then the race was on because that day I discovered there was a second green blade coming up! They seemed to race to see who could be tallest, one reaching a height of about 21 inches and then, be still my heart, there was a bud beginning to form (just one) clothed in leaf-like petals! But I had perhaps been too full of my own good opinion of my patience and excellent dribbling and that bud did not open. It languished as the other stalk gained nearly the same height. And then on the last day of January, six excruciating weeks after the first green sighting, two blooms opened! Oh, so sweet and simply beautiful with their petals of sparkling white tipped with pale pink. Those blooms have each grown to 7 inches in width and this morning, two more blooms opened! Oh the delight!
My take-aways … Sometimes a little sunshine and a dribble of water is all you need. Sometimes I should not disturb something that seems to be marinating in its own juices, or bulbous rooty-soil in this instance. Sometimes (truly, oftentimes) my friends know better than me. My dear friend has much more confidence in me than I have in me. Sometimes reflection on past disappointments bring an opportunity to admit some inconsistencies in care and some selfishness (aka laziness), to repent, and to be more conscientious. Sometimes waiting is the key to success and I should be patient because the reward is amazing! But I need to pay attention to what to do in the waiting.
Waiting is hard, whether it’s the Amaryllis bulb-to-bloom or the test results or the job offer or the visit with your best friend. I acknowledge these have varying degrees of significance but the principle of waiting with grace and expectation is an oft-mentioned theme in God’s Word. If I’ve put my trust in the Lord, I know where my hope and expectations need to rest. And I can know what to do while I wait.
In Proverbs 1 and 2 we’ve been introduced to Wisdom who speaks words of instruction and warning; showing us the two possibilities … which fork in the road to take and which not to take. In Proverbs 8, we are reminded of where we ought to wait and the value and benefit of listening to, and not neglecting, wisdom.
And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD,
but he who fails to find me (to find wisdom) injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Proverbs 8.32-36
We listen, we hear, and we do not neglect the Lord’s call on us. We watch daily for His action and His delight for us. We stay near – waiting at the gate! – so that we might find wisdom … life … favor from the Lord.
Trusting the Lord for His favor when we seek Him!
Love, Colleen
P.S. Ladies, I want to be sure you’ve heard we are hosting a Galentine’s event on Saturday, February 15. Invite a friend to join you in creating a cake from cupcakes and crafting a market bouquet of roses for yourself. A sweet and simple morning is being planned for you and you don’t have to bring anything or have any particular expertise.
Moms with young children – if on-site childcare will allow you to join us, let me know by today, February 5, and we’ll take care of the rest. Reply to this email or text me at 206-715-3635.
I hope to see you Saturday, Feb 15, 10am at the church!