2020: Weeks 11-16 — Blooming where we’re planted

Your 2020 goals may have flown out the window when COVID-19 came in, but I hope you’ve been able to establish a new set of routines and rhythms. I hope your life is full, even if it looks different than you planned.

At about the same time we received shelter in place orders, I saw two little orchid buds. I’ve never had one to rebloom, even though I have three orchids. One I’ve had for about two years, and the other two I’ve had for less than a year.

It can take a long time for orchids to rebloom, so I’ve been patiently waiting. New roots and leaves have grown while old leaves and spikes have died. One orchid needed repotting, and the transplant shock almost killed it.

I’m no gardener, yet I’m determined to keep these orchids alive. When I finally saw those baby buds after years of nurturing, my heart smiled. I had been watering them, fertilizing them, and talking to them. I wanted them to bloom someday, but I knew I couldn’t force them to. I don’t cause flowers to bloom. I only provide the resources.

No matter how much I wanted a new flower to appear, the bud would only open when God said it was ready. I tried my best to take care of it, but I’m not convinced I got it right all the time. I’m almost positive that sometimes I gave it too much or too little water, and many rainy days blocked sunlight. Still, God worked with that.

God blessed it despite my ignorance of orchid caretaking, and I have a beautiful bloom. It began opening last night, and it finished today, just before the shelter in place is scheduled to lift. That’s not coincidental timing.

This is my pandemic flower, and it’s a stunning reminder of God’s ability to bring joy amid sorrow. God painted a lovely design on this flower, and I’m happy to share it with you.

The podcast that coincides with the Bible reading plan I’m doing this year references “God shots,” moments where you see God or Christ appear in the day’s reading. I don’t think God shots are limited to the Bible. I think God sometimes shows up in unexpected places in unexpected ways and teaches us through simple things.

My orchid does not worry about tomorrow, and I’m reminded that neither should I. If you read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, you’ll find a section about worrying. Jesus teaches that our Father feeds the birds and asks, “Are you not more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

Then, Jesus mentions the flowers that clothe fields in splendor, and He asks, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30)

Jesus says God knows what we need, and Christ challenges us to seek His kingdom and righteousness first. When we have our priorities aligned with God’s will, He takes care of the details. We don’t have to control our circumstances, which is a good thing because we will never be able to.

We will never be able to stop a global pandemic, a natural disaster, cancer, or any other tragedy from hitting our home or family. However, we can know and trust the One who can. We can give Him the burden of those difficult circumstances and instead focus on the tasks He’s called us to for that day.

It would be easy to dwell in the grief of the canceled plans and dreams of April and the coming months. But, if we do that, we may miss out on some blessings. We have opportunities each day to connect with God personally and to spread truth and love to our family and friends. It may look different than just a couple of months ago, but that’s OK. Let’s focus on encouragement and growth instead.

I believe God timed my orchid’s bloom with our shelter in place. It gave me something to check the progress of each day, and as I watched the buds grow, God reminded me of His better plans. He knows what lies ahead of me, whether it’s in the immediate, pandemic-ridden future or in the decades that follow. He has proven Himself faithful, and I can trust Him, come what may.

There is hope in Jesus, friends, and it’s a hope that will never leave or change. He is faithful and true, a King we can follow confidently and trust wholeheartedly.

“There is a Hope” is a song by Truth, a contemporary Christian group from the late ’90s. Its lyrics have been on my mind during this pandemic, and I hope you’ll find comfort in it, too.

Until next time, take care, friends!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDzus_NIENU]

There is a hope no matter what happens

There is a hope that overcomes all

We can stand on the promise Jesus never fails

Even if the world should fall

There is a hope through all of life’s changes

There is a God who’s always the same

Hope does not depend on only what is seen

Hope is found believing in His name

There is a hope

There is a hope in Him

There is a hope in Jesus

There is a hope