Keep on Blooming

In my back yard, there is a patch of Mexican purple petunias. The patch started as one small plant several years ago and has managed to survive a multitude of attacks from many sources – one terroristic chocolate Labrador Retriever who loved to chew everything in sight, Mother Nature, and Mother Marler (that would be me with weed whacker in hand).

Over the past few weeks as I have taken the puppy outside each morning, afternoon, and evening, I have nothing better to do at that particular time than to just wait. During that waiting time, my eyes wander over the yard and inevitably fall on the petunia patch.

In the early morning, the leaves stand up tall and beautiful and there are usually 3-5 pretty little flowers greeting me. Purple is my favorite color, making them that much more beautiful to me. The purple is vibrant against the rich green of the leaves, and the early morning light just coming up over the horizon gives softness to everything.

Mid-day comes and the puppy and I trek out to the back again. I am a bit saddened when I look at the petunias - the day seems to be wearing on them. The flowers are still attached to the plant, but the petals have begun to wilt and curl and the leaves have lost the glow from the morning.

With the work day behind me, I get home and yet again go outside and wait as patiently as possible, even though I’m usually thoroughly exhausted and would rather do anything than stand out in the elements. I look over at the petunias, and they agree. Their leaves are parched and wilted, seeming to barely hang on to the stalks. The blooms have fallen to the ground, shriveled and unattractive. The day has taken its toll – the luster they had just a short time ago is gone.

Night falls and thus our last outing of the day. I cannot see the plants now. The cooling evening and darkness envelope everything, giving sweet reprieve from the harshness of the day. It is a time of silent renewal.

In the morning, I am greeted once again by more sweet blooms. They are as bright and beautiful as the previous morning, as if to say, “The world can do to me what it will, but I will keep on blooming!” This brings to my mind a verse from the book of Psalms:

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5, NKJV)

Like those beautiful flowers, I wake up each morning with the opportunity to stand up straight and tall and show my best, brightest, beautiful self. As the day wears on I, too, begin to wilt a bit and lose my shine. By the time evening comes around, I am barely hanging on to my sanity and anything else, and my arms hang at my sides in defeat, as I have allowed the world to wither me and knock my blooms to the ground.

But as evening finally approaches, and the busyness of the world begins to fade away, I hear God calling my name to come sit with him in the silence and the darkness – to allow myself to be refreshed and renewed by Him. Isaiah 40:31 says it perfectly:

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Even though the world has knocked me down, I am not unattractive to God. He will not leave me lying in the dirt, shriveled and defeated. In the darkness of night, in the silence of slumber, He renews my spirit and refreshes my soul.

“Joy comes in the morning”, and I look at the world around me. Just like those flowers, I defiantly stand up straight and tall once again – and Keep on Blooming.