The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
The flower bulb was wrapped in tissue paper, placed gently inside a gift bag. Just as fall began to exit and winter announced its arrival, I found myself shopping for soil.
The bulb, a thoughtful gift from a dear friend, wouldn’t survive the coming season without a careful planting. I scooped soil by the handful into a gray pot, lining the bottom. Next, the bulb. Then another handful of soil on each side. Finally, I stood back in admiration of a project completed.
Really, though, it had only just begun.
Each morning I filled a regular drinking glass and slowly watered around the bulb. At first just a few drops would flood the pot. The bulb had yet to settle into its surroundings and the soil wasn’t ready to accept the very thing that would bring about new life.
Yet day after day, I filled the glass. It wasn’t long before a few drops were no longer enough. The bulb took root and after several weeks of faithful watering and tending, I woke to a green shoot emerging from the soil.
It wasn’t much to look at, certainly, but I cheered and clapped so loudly you would have thought I won the lottery.
Days turned into weeks as the green shoot grew to several feet in height. And then, seemingly overnight, the flowers bloomed big and bright. The natural result of careful watering was beauty, growth, and new life.
The brilliance of unfurling petals was unmistakable, but the incremental growth was too miniscule for my human eyes to see. Our personal growth often feels the same way. Yet as we stay close to the Source, and as He is faithful to water and tend, our roots sink into Him as our lives grows upward and outward.
Little by little, day by day, in every season.
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These words are from one of five devotionals I had the privilege of contributing to A Moment to Breathe: 365 Devotions that Meet You in Your Everyday Mess.
80 women in all different seasons of life came together to offer their words of encouragement, based first and foremost on Scripture. This is a “me too” devotional, a place where your soul can exhale and your heart will be reminded that your right-now story matters.
I wrote a little bit about it when the devotional released last Fall, and today I’m happy to share one of the devotionals with you to celebrate the release of the new journal edition. (I’m basically obsessed with the cover artwork. It’s fine. I’m fine.)
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P.S. That same bulb? It ended up blooming. Again.
P.p.s. God was preparing me for my words of the year — behold and flourish — long before I was aware of it. He’s pretty funny that way.
I have to say this cover has such a simple beauty to it, Kaitlyn. And I so share your gardening gratification…just today I was admiring two orchid plants on my office windowsill. I have nursed them for about 6 months and daily watched gorgeous blooms open one by one in the past couple of weeks. This process is helping get me through a difficult season, and I’m grateful. Congratulations on your devotional:)
Oh, how beautiful! And such a sweet reminder to stay close to our Source in order to grow. Thanks for sharing :) Stopping by from #FreshMarketFriday
The flower is beautiful! And your story is such a good reminder that growth is slow but sure. ” Yet as we stay close to the Source, and as He is faithful to water and tend, our roots sink into Him as our lives grows upward and outward.” Amen Thanks for sharing with us at the #LMMLinkup. Blessings to you!
Oh, I love your devotional story, the pics you shared, and the lovely cover artwork of the new journal too! Congratulations! I am visiting from Jennifer Lee’s linkup. Happy to browse around. :)
Thank you for stopping by! :)
I love how god can take the biggest messes and turn them into something beautiful!
Beautiful devotion, so nicely illustrated by your blooming bulb. I enjoy the way Biblical truth is shown in nature.
Thank you, Carol!
This was such a beautifully written devotional! Wonderful Truths and insights.
You also gave me an idea! I never thought about planting a bulb to have it grow inside! I’m going to have to try that. :-)
Thank you!
Isn’t it neat how it can grow inside? I love my amaryllis.