This is the first spring I have peony blooms even though I planted, guaranteed to boom, roots 4 years ago. Each spring and summer I got a short stumpy plant with no blooms or buds. I wasn’t even sure if the scrubby little plant that came up each spring was a peony or a weed. I had given up hope on ever seeing the deep pink flowers I had hoped for. I stopped paying any attention to the little corner where I had planted them and didn’t notice when someone had dug up the root and planted it in the center of the yard where it gets sunlight from dawn to dusk. When they told me they moved the plant I just forgot all about it.
Earlier this spring I was very surprised to see tight, bright balls of buds at the tip of a thriving peony plant in the yard. I was thrilled to see several large, luminous blooms this past weekend! I wasn’t expecting any flowers this year. In fact, I had decided not to plant anything that wasn’t for food. But God has blessed the yard with an abundance of violets, dandelions (I’ll have a post all about dandelions and perspective soon), buttercups and something I call “thistleish”. My English roses have many buds and several lush blooms already, more than last year. Even though I’ve totally neglected them other than throwing a bit of mulch at them in early spring they are doing better now than the past two years when I tried harder.
I take this as a reminder that it is God who blesses and flourishes the garden. Sometimes he uses us. Sometimes he does it all by Himself. I love how he surprises us with blessings, often, just when we think a situation is hopeless. “…it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:16 I’m glad this is true of God, my garden and my life. I’m glad it is not my works, skills and righteousness that matter, but Christ’s and God’s blessing! Thank you Lord!
Pearls & Perspectives 