This post was written by Leann Woelk, a member of the INCM Blog team.
Living in Canada, we have at least 4 months of winter. So, by the first day of spring, we are waiting with great anticipation for the snow to melt, the sun to warm our cheeks, and the birds to return from the south.
According to the calendar, I’m writing this post on the first day of spring. As I glance up from my computer and look out the window, my view is anything but spring. Today, we woke up to snow… again.
I’ll admit it. I’m not impressed.
If this was fall, I’d be thrilled with the beautiful snow. But not in spring. Not when the calendar page shows me a picture of bright yellow daffodils. Outside my window are permafrost covered branches and glistening white snowflakes piling up on the ground where the daffodils bulbs lay hidden beneath the blanket of snow. I will have to wait for my daffodils to bloom. The timing is not right yet for them to emerge from the rich black soil that the bulbs are planted in.
I’m sure they will bloom.
I hope they will bloom.
I must be patient and wait.
Daffodils develop from the inside out because the bulb stores all the nutrients required for the development of the stem and flowers. While they are planted in the fall, they must endure the winter because it is in the cold season the roots develop properly. Even though they are covered under the freezing snow, when daffodils are ready to bloom not even the snow will stop them from coming forth to announce that spring has arrived. No wonder daffodils are a symbol of hope.
It reminds me of the ideas, dreams, and plans we have buried inside our hearts for reaching children and their families for Jesus.
We have hope in the season of waiting because we know what is coming in the next season.
Just as a gardener must go through the winter season knowing spring will come eventually to give life again in nature, we too must wait patiently for God’s perfect timing for our garden to bloom.
Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord; my soul does wait, and in His word, I put my hope.”
God is working on our root development so when the timing is right for His ideas to come forth from you, the timing will be right. Ecclesiastes 3:2 reminds us there is a time for everything, and through it all we must be brave and courageous and wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Get ready to turn the calendar page my friend. A new season is coming in the natural and in the spiritual, and your season of waiting will be over. All your ideas, dreams, and plans you have had lying dormant are about to bloom and it’s going to be more beautiful than you can even imagine.
I think I can see the daffodils beginning to peak out of the snow already!
I knew they would bloom.
About Leann
As a wife, mother, and leader in the ministry of children, Leann has been serving churches, camps and conferences with enthusiasm for over 30 years with whimsical creativity and thrifty practicality. Her desire is to care for the hearts of those who are on the front lines of ministry. She partners with Children’s Ministry Specialists and their churches to provide training, support and care for them and their ministry.
