A courageous friend struggles with her suffering that she would gladly give back to God. Many years ago, he legs grew tired for she suffers from multiple sclerosis. Daily, she prays for strength and she is not afraid to give God a piece of her mind about her suffering, Despite her disease, her mind and heart yearn to see the flowers in bloom and smell their sweet scents.If you are sensitive to the seasons, you would note that all our flowers are three weeks ahead of schedule. Two weeks ago, I was scouting Highland Park at six in the morning for a sunrise and images of flowering magnolias. One has to be at the right place and know the right time to find the glory of God lurking in the trees and shrubs. Never disappointed, I discovered that the lilacs were beginning to bud out, but the surprise was a “weeping cherry” that was shining in the morning mist.
Our suffering soul would welcome the opportunity to see the lilacs so this weekend, mind you three weeks before the official Lilac Sunday, she found herself being wheeled through the gardens to witness the miracle of nature and smell the lilacs. She was like a little kid, simply glad to be outdoors and enjoy the beauty that was peaking in the morning sun. In one week, the budding lilacs were now ablaze in a glorious display of purple and crimson colors. If you are waiting for Lilac Sunday, you will be disappointed because the flowers will be past their peak. Go now my friends!
Many times I hear people say, “They don’t wish to be a bother.” They struggle with some suffering that is known only to us. At those moments, we have an opportunity to blossom and reflect the profound beauty of God’s care for his people. It might simply be a gesture that says we notice their struggle and take their garbage to the curb, or take away their loneliness by bringing a plant into their home, invite them to lunch, or if we are really mindful, pack them into our van and let them smell the lilacs.
The miracles of Jesus were simply being mindful that it was the right moment to make his friends more wine, bring them more fish, forgive them a poor judgment, or best of all, raise them to eternal life. God’s timing is perfect, but we can be just as mindful with a little extra attention to detail. God is watching us, not looking for our failures, but watching our timing so that we don’t miss the opportunities to bring his comfort and love to others. It might simply mean bringing our friends to the pansy bed to see all the smiling faces.
God prays for us as we reflect; “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves in heard in our land. “ (Song of Solomon 2:12).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel that the Spirit has given them more than their share of suffering. Imagine that you tie all your sufferings to your outdoor tree. May the Spirit give us a nudge to take one of those sufferings from our neighbor’s tree and help them feel and experience the power of God’s love for them.
