Hydrangea Bud - Jan. 18, 2010
I took these two pictures today of the same hydrangea bush in my yard. When you look at picture #1, the plant looks dead. Most of this season I stared at this plant while leaving to and from the house wondering how on earth it will come back to life in spring, if at all. Then today, I noticed something. There were little buds (picture #2) beginning to grow all over that seemingly dead plant. During that moment I was reminded how life has seasons.
Later on in the day I laid in my bed having some quiet time to myself. I wrote in my journal, did some reading, and finished it off with a time of reflection. The images of the hydrangea plant kept on popping into my head. Whenever this happens to me I take this as a sign that there is a life lesson in all of this. And this was my conclusion: there are seasons of life. During the last month I have been working through a personal issue (nothing bad, illegal, or wrong) without any sign of improvement or breakthrough. I would call this the “wilderness”. However, seeing those little buds gave me hope and perspective. Just because I don’t see growth or improvement doesn’t mean it isn’t happening inside me where I can’t see it. In proper time I will see noticeable growth, hopefully vibrant growth. I was encouraged to keep working at it, and to not allow what I don’t see to keep me from the truth of what I anticipate to see later. In the mean time I continue to walk through my own wilderness knowing I will get to where I need to in the right season at the right time. Not too early, not too late, but just on time.
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Amen Alice!
“In proper time I will see noticeable growth, hopefully vibrant growth. I was encouraged to keep working at it, and to not allow what I don’t see to keep me from the truth of what I anticipate to see later. In the mean time I continue to walk through my own wilderness knowing I will get to where I need to in the right season at the right time. Not too early, not too late, but just on time.”
I so love this statement! I tend to forget this and want to push and struggle trying to make the growth happen NOW! And yet – if it did…if that hydrangea bloomed now…it isn’t the right time or season and ultimately wouldn’t be best for the plant.
Thank you for sharing this today.
Wonderful thoughts! Playing outside with my girls today, I felt so…blah…about the dead trees and faded grass. Gray clouds everywhere, no color as far as the eye could see. But then, stooping down low to see what my toddler was discovering on a tiny tree, I noticed the new buds are already forming. It’s not even spring yet, but the trees are preparing themselves for new life! And all I had to do was stoop down to see it. Stop looking far and wide, and start seeing individual things as full of life. And yes, it hit me how perfectly this relates to us as well. Stop looking far and wide. Focus on your vitals: love, family, (food
), and just let the spring come in its own time.
I hope your wilderness is turning into a lovely garden…and soon
Dear Alice, I’m being treated for major depression right now. Most days, it feels like there’s no light in sight, but your post reminds me to keep looking. Thank you.
lovely post… I am working through some issues and I was not seeing any improvement… then I came across this post and these lines – “I was encouraged to keep working at it, and to not allow what I don’t see to keep me from the truth of what I anticipate to see later. ” Thank you for these
THanks for the reminder Alice! I too am working thru a situation that needs a seemingly ‘urgent’ conclusion, but to no avail as of yet. Yes, though in this winter season things may look ‘dead’, but they are simply dormant. The root system under the ground -where we cannot see it – is still intact and alive. And in due time -when it’s season comes – it will bloom! ;-D