When Peace Blooms

To say that I don't have a green thumb would be an understatement. In fact, my family laughs when I bring home a new house plant. I don't care. I love plants in my house, even though my love does not materialize in the caring of those plants. Yes, I forget to water, I never fertilize, and I hate repotting anything. But, I try. And a few hardy plants have chosen to stick with me. 

One of those loyal plants is a "peace" plant that I was given after my grandfather's funeral. The plant lives in my bedroom near a window and its green leaves tell me it likes it there. It has even re-seeded itself and I can see baby peace plants. But it never blooms. When I investigated why my peace plant never flowers, the only answer I could really find was that the conditions have to be just right for it to bloom.

Last Tuesday afternoon after I got home from a full day of ministry at church, I received a phone call from my dad. He reluctantly expressed to me that his biopsy results had come back positive for prostate cancer. Many of you know that my mom was re-diagnosed with lymphoma about a year ago. Two parents with cancer at the same time stinks. It really does.

My honest thoughts: "I hate cancer... It's not fair... Will both be going through sickness and treatment at the same time?...  Life is hard... Jesus, please come back soon."

God's Word:

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"  Jn. 16:33

"Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." Romans 8:6

I went to bed that Tuesday night desiring to rest in God's presence and peace, but constantly battling the tears, the fears, and the unknown. 

When I woke up the next morning, there it was. My plant that never blossoms had a solitary bloom forming right in the center of its green. I know it is just a plant, but it was such a tangible reminder of God's love for me. His promises. His presence. His peace.

Peace had raised her beautiful head. Peace was blooming - not only among the green leaves of my plant, but in my heart. To the world, the condition of my life and the life of my family is pretty unstable. But to God, the condition of my heart is just right. Ready to receive His grace, His mercy, His healing, His peace. Ready...to bloom.


Lord, for some crazy reason that I do not understand, you have given me the opportunity and the privilege to minister to others. May this current situation in my life be another way to glorify You, to encourage others, and to grow me in a way like never before.


Kelli

joining with Jen at SDG...visit some other great blogs there!