The other day, I planted some daffodils (slightly late I know). I was in the shed and found them in a box. I’d bought them in the summer with the full intention of planting them in the garden… but I forgot. The bag of daffodil bulbs was mangled, messy, and damp but they had started to sprout! I found them just in time (a few had gone mushy) so I set to work planting. Worship music blasting out, I was praying. Praying for my friends, praying for my family, praying for the country. I was praying for hope. My phone was full of the latest 4-tire doom. The virus had come a bit to close to the home and I was (sorry to say) slightly panicking. Two were in isolation and had just had the test as they were in contact with someone who has infected. We were waiting for the results. My dear friend was very poorly with the virus and I was worried about her and her family. I was worried about my husband’s health (after been ill two years ago with respiratory problems). I was worried about our income, the kids, the isolation and loneliness, my parents’ health (they both unwell at the moment and the frustration of not seeing them and hugging them is getting to me.
So, I’d had a wobble and my feeling and brain had gone disaster, danger, warning mode. I needed distraction and this was it. My go-to distraction is my plants. This year I’ve gone a bit plant mad and I’ve totally enjoyed it. So, worship music on in the kitchen that I’ve taken over with potting, sorting, and dusting plants, and now with the discovery of the daffodils, I’m planting them too! As I was planting and singing, I was reminded of the hope that plants bring. Huge seeds (bulbs in this case) of potential for life. I was reminded that everything has a season and God is in control. Under difficult circumstances, these bulbs had begun to grow to bring new life, new hope, and a burst of colour. I had 100 bulbs, so I made a lot of tubs! I decided to drop them around to friends to remind them as it remained me, that this is a season. Spring is coming, colour will return, and God is in control. My circumstances haven’t changed but this little thing gave me hope to keep on keeping on, to put my head up, look to the maker of the seed and seasons, and trust him once more.
It’s easy to look at what is going on in the world and think ‘how can God care about the little things in my life’. But it’s worth remembering that, to the God of the universe, everything is a ‘little thing’! The Bible shows us the depth of His love for us. When things get too much and we spiral into worry and panic lets remember the well-known passage in Matthew:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.Matthew 10:29 (NIV)
If God cares when a sparrow dies, he cares about my down day. He cares that we feel alone, overwhelmed, sad and anxious. This week, lets not be too hard on ourselves or each other. I’ve shared this little story because I thought people might relate. If you’re having a hard time, it helps to talk about it, but it also helps others to hear they’re not the only ones struggling in the current situation. Most of all, it helps if we remember how awesome our God is.
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know! Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.Proverbs 30:3-5 (NIV)
Rhiannon Goulding