Be still…and bloom

The key to a well-lived life, I think, is to find blessings among the hard stuff. That’s one of the many thoughts I pondered over when I stopped writing and I’m sharing now in my Be Still series.

My favorite passage of scripture in the Bible is found in the New Testament book of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

That passage encourages me to always find something to be thankful for, no matter what circumstances befall. When the rainy weather just didn’t want to cease and desist last month but instead hunkered down for the long haul, I found myself complaining a bit.

And then I remembered my favorite scripture and it caused me to change my perspective. 

I’m a sunny outlook kind of person. When the sun shines, so do I. When it’s bright and beautiful outside with sunshine, I’m on top of the world. Happy. Content. Motivated to accomplish whatever tasks are set before me.

But days of perpetual dreariness wear me down and definitely affect my mood, motivation, and morale.

However, instead of painting the long mask of weariness on my face, due to the rainy weather that hovered over us for so long, and spewing complaints from my mouth, I chose to find snippets of joy in my soggy world.

Aspects existing in my water-logged surroundings that gave me reason to smile. To count as a blessing. To give thanks to God even through the persistent rain and storms.

Today, I’m sharing one of those joyful moments with you via this photo.  

Because of all the rain, our yard stayed verdantly green, our garden started producing plenty for our table, and our flowers remained brilliantly colorful and lush since they didn’t lack water.

Our rain collection barrel which we use in summer to water the flower and vegetable gardens was always full and we didn’t have to tap into it.

As our flowers bloomed during my time of just being still, so did my joy and so did my hope. And that reminded me of another verse in God’s Word that I love: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” found in Romans 12:12.

For some, the constant rain was an affliction, but without the rain, the flowers would have withered up and died. So I’m thankful for the rain as much as I’m thankful for the sun.

Both provide me with hope. And hope fills me with joy.

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson

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