Hidden Beauty

The timing doesn't seem right to me but... but at our house, the flowers and bushes are starting to bud. The rhododendron are not far from blooming and the tulips are already part-way up. I saw new little buds on the plants in January. Maybe it has been this way before and I had just not taken notice of it. I am excited though because it is a promise of beautiful things to come.

I look at the buds and wait and anticipate that on the appropriate day, they will open and I will see the beauty that has been hidden for several months within the plant. The beauty was there all along, just in a different form. However, it took the changing seasons within the plant to finally expose itself.

It is that way in our lives, sometimes. We endure a time of growth that we had rather not go through only to find the hidden beauty. We are beautiful to God, but at times we don't see ourselves that way, especially if trekking through the harshness of winter in our lives. But as we allow Him to fertilize, nurture and prune away the dead stuff, it exposes what only the true gardener knows. All of this must happen to bring forth the the greater beauty. The plant is stronger, it weathers the storms, the wind, the hot sun, the cold rain, the aphids, the snow and ice and yet, bursts forth with incredible beauty that pleases the Maker and the eyes of those who look upon it.

As we go through the seasons of our life, may we grow in grace and become more beautiful everyday because of our Lord Jesus Christ abiding in us.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18