When?

By Kathleen Moulton

The air is cold and still. It's sad to look at the purple leaves of the coral bells frozen in time. The forsythia is leafless. Splashes of vibrant colors were here and now gone.

The earth teaches us there are seasons in our lives. American culture is so busy, so driven, and so productive, that when life changes direction or slows down, we become anxious or impatient. Waiting is difficult.

Under the frozen earth are the yellow daffodil and orange, purple, and yellow tulip bulbs that I planted this fall. The frozen, brown primrose stalks and the woody, leafless forsythia will bloom bright yellow flowers again. Royal purple cone flowers and deep red bee balm will brighten summer mornings. For now, they remain hidden in dormancy until the appointed time.

The appointed time.

As much as we would like God to line up with us, we must line up with Him. We would not think of jumping off a ten story building since we believe in the law of gravity, a natural, physical law we all live by. There are spiritual laws, too. As we yield to laws, trusting the God who made them, (knowing He wired us to yield to them in the first place), peace, contentment, joy, and patience will come no matter what we are facing. When we are feeling hopeless, all we have to do is take in the earth's beauty and see the reflection of God's face.

The New Year marks a new beginning. In God's world, every day is a new beginning. The sun rises every morning, bringing hope to the world. The most delicate tulip buds and sturdiest oaks draw strength from the new day.

Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage. Wait.