Patience and Purple

The art of waiting

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:14

This picture was taken in mid-January of last year. Aren’t these irises majestically beautiful?

The Lord constantly uses nature to teach me specific lessons in life.

These lovelies have bloomed every winter since I’ve lived here. In early January the blanket of brown stalks left from the previous season gently falls away as tall, crisp emerald blades appear.

The blades stand at attention for weeks like royal subjects eagerly anticipating the arrival of their king.

Then, one by one the blades robe themselves in tinges of purple, The coiled buds slowly unfurl to reveal the glorious poetry of the Master’s hand.

This miracle had taken place in my backyard, without fail, for 12 consecutive winters.

This year, however, the first day of Spring has come and gone and my irises have yet to bloom.

My winter was terribly cold. I have struggled through the hardest time of my life. I’ve wrestled with bitterness, unforgiveness and grief over a loss that was part of the Lord’s plan for me.

Through the heartbreak, Jesus has held me close. Several times He’s brought me roses. Beautifully pungent, deep pink roses blooming in my backyard.

When the rose buds first appeared I knew the Lord was reminding me of His promises.

Those precious promises told me to wait in obedience; to let the grief wash over me not as a shower of pain, but as flowing memories of a love that lives on. He also urged me to plunge myself into the healing waters of forgiveness through prayer.

Weeks have passed and I have diligently obeyed the Lord’s instructions. When grief came knocking, I offered hospitality and deep gratitude to God for allowing me to serve Him doing a job I love so passionately.

Forgiveness, on the other hand was difficult at first. When I cried out for the Lord’s help, He provided me with a prayer list for the people who had hurt me most.

On a recent morning, I woke up and noticed that something was very different.

The pain was gone. My heart felt lighter. I was ready to let go of what the Lord had already taken from me and excited for whatever surprises He has in store for me.

I walked outside and was overjoyed to see tinges of purple on the irises’ blades and a spectacular bloom of glorious purple.

The King had not only arrived, but brought with Him a message of promise and hope.