The Generations trip to the Arboretum was fun and beautiful. It has been over 30 years since we have been on a visit to the gardens. We think it was around Easter in 1992, right before we moved to the Panhandle. It also snowed about that time. We remember walking around the flowers dusted with snow and ice.
So much has changed. The place seems to be twice the size that I remember. I looked on Google Earth and watched the historical images as the ground was torn up, rearranged and replanted. Waterways were created. Paths laid down and flowerbeds planted.
When we walked through the front gates we were greeted by a riot of color. Every direction we looked it seemed a new hue begged for our attention. Like butterflies in a high wind we flitted from flower to flower, never quite able to focus on any one blossom. There was another and then another and then another more beautiful display. We gasped, we smiled and quickly ran out of new adjectives to describe what we saw.
There were beds of flowers not yet ready to reveal themselves. Tiny green spikes pierced the earth as they slowly rose to seek the sunlight. It made me wonder what the unseen flowers would look like. No matter what, I know I will use the word ‘beautiful’ to describe them. I have seen enough flowers over a long enough time to be certain that the next flower will be another exquisite sculpture by the hand of God-the rich colors, the tiny intricate structure, the soft velvety surface of the petals. Each one a masterpiece. Each one waiting to testify to the greatness of the Lord.
As the Lord says, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30).
Potential is all around us. It is in the ground as Spring rushes in to push away the winter. It is also in the people around us. Watching people emerge from the dormancy of the last two years, watching people find new paths, new insights and new dreams is inspiring. What is God going to do in you?
Links for my sermon about the 10 virgins.