Joy A. Mead

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

Our local grocery store sells some lovely plants and often I enjoy picking a random one up and adding it to our garden. As long as the plant has colourful flowers and says perennial on the tag, which means it should come back next season, I am happy to add it to our collection of plants. A year ago, I purchased and planted a beautiful green, grass with delicate red flowers which we all enjoyed.

By this season, it was getting to the middle of summer and I kept thinking to myself, “This plant is lovely, but where are the red flowers I remember from last year?” Every time I was in the garden, I would stop to check for any signs. Nothing yet.

To my surprise, after what seemed like a very long wait, the beautiful, floral shoots started to come out, almost as if overnight. I had to smile to myself because growth had been happening all along, but it hadn’t been quite the timing yet for my plant to flower. How did I not see the progress and then suddenly the flower buds started to appear?

This crocosmia plant serves to remind me of how impatient I can be with God. I know that as I live my life trusting in Jesus, He is growing me little by little, day by day. Yet, if I overanalyse myself and try to figure out what God is doing in any particular moment, I am likely to miss the growth. Often, we have to entrust our concerns, worries, and thoughts with God, to then humbly let them go and carry on living daily life. Growth within us is happening as we learn to have a stronger faith in Jesus and even if we cannot see much progress or encouragement.

More times than not, we will wake up days, months, and years later to be surprised with how God has answered our prayers, grown us, and unfolded His plans for our lives in His timing.

Dear God,

Thank you for all the blessings you have given us this summer.

Thank you for simplistic garden reminders that show us how you are always growing us in life’s journey.

As children go back to school and the autumn weather approaches, please keep our hearts, minds, and emotions safe within Your care.

Forgive us when we neglect to use our time wisely and make other distractions our focus.

Help us to trust a little more in You each day, having faith that You are growing Your good qualities into us, such as peace, patience, humility, love, and gentleness, no matter how long it takes.

May we meet with you in our everyday lives, in a tangible and real way.

Allow us to have Kingdom perspective, worrying less about our progress or outcomes but instead recognising life as Your beautiful gift to journey closer to Your heart.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.