Minnesota winters start early and go long, with bitter cold and deep snowdrifts. When the world is a somber charcoal drawing in greys and white and stark black, some potted flowering plants brighten our day and help satisfy a little of our yearnings for springtime.
Every Christmas, Sister Johnetta receives a pot of amaryllis bulbs from her nephew, David Vidmar, and sets it on a west-facing window ledge in the cloister to give the growing stalks enough light and share the mounting excitement with all who pass. This year’s pot gave an especially glorious display, of red speckled blossoms edged in deep red. You can see from the photo how extravagantly it bloomed.
Our life in Christ is a little like this. When life looks bleak and the world feels cold and remote, God pours over us unexpected blessings, whether a sunny day or a compassionate gesture from a friend.
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up” (Psalm 68:19).
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).
May God shower you with blessings when you least expect them!