Walking In the “Not Yet”

To me, mid-March is a perfect times for Lent. Just as we walk through the wilderness with Jesus, we walk through the drab, brown and gray remains of winter. We know that the resurrection is coming, and we know that soon it will be time to break ground and plant seeds. We rejoice that it will be here soon, but we ache because we can’t see it today.

So what do we do as we walk through the “not yet?” I have wondered that very thing in recent mornings, as I walk our dog. I search for those first splashes of color among last November’s dried leaves and brown grass.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.” James 5:7 (NASB)

Waiting — derived from the Greek word meaning “expectation” — is a common theme in the Bible as it is in life. I’ve seen spring every year before this year, yet something in me will not rest until I see that flower bud poking through the ground. Like the Psalmist says:

“I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.” Psalm 139:5 (NASB)

Oh, how he waits. The repetition of the word “wait” in this verse highlights the intensity of this longing and expectation. Look at another translation of the same verse:

“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 139:5 (NIV)

With his whole being, he waits. We do the same. Will my health recover? Will my loved one recover from addiction? Will I get that job? Will someone love me? Our whole being waits.

And hopes!

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16 (NIV)

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:23 (ESV).

We know we can rely on Him. We anticipate that morning of resurrection. We go deeper into our faith as our “soul does wait.” And just as those first crocuses surprise us every spring, we will jump for joy at the news that “He is risen!” (Matthew 28:6, KJV)

Every Green Herb: Violet

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” Genesis 1:29-30 (KJV)

Spring: so near, yet so far in early March. I scan the garden for flower buds and new green shoots, as I watch the weather reports for yet another snow storm. I’ve always felt closest to the Creator in the garden, with its yearly rhythms of life, death and resurrection. During the Lenten season, as we walk with the Lord through the desert, these rhythms are keenly felt.

Every now and then, this blog will include posts about some of my favorite plants, especially herbs. Know as “useful plants,” herbs have a special place in my heart because of their nourishing and healing properties — gifts from God, indeed. I will begin with violet (Viola spp.), which I will be studying in-depth this year.

There are many species and varieties of violet, including sweet violet (V. odorata), white violet (V. alba), and wild pansy or Johnny jump-up (V. tricolor). You’ll see them growing low in moist, cool, shaded areas — if you look carefully. A patch of violets grows in a corner of our garden, shaded by a towering black walnut tree.

Herbalists value violets for their sweet fragrance and healing properties. Traditional uses for the leaves, roots and flowers include perfumes, food flavorings, cough syrups and salads.*

As a bonus, the colorful violet “flowers” aren’t really flowers at all. The true flowers are light green and hidden, so you can pick the colorful blooms to your heart’s content without disturbing the plant’s life cycle. More will appear soon enough, and you can enjoy them again!

Violets have even inspired sermons! H.J. Wilmot-Buxton (1843-1911) praised them in his sermon The Preaching of Nature:

“But, my brothers, the sweetest spot is where the violet blooms, and it is better to be sweet than to be grand.”

“God put you there as He puts a violet in a lonely nook, that you might make your corner sweet.”

Violets make early spring sweet, with their unassuming beauty and fragrance. It’s hard to believe that they are considered undesirable weeds by some.

I hope you’ll look for violets in otherwise overlooked places. You’ll be glad you did!

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*This post is for information only, and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before trying medicinal herbs.

Follow Him

When I was growing up, I would hear other kids talking about the things they planned to give up for Lent.  Chocolate invariably topped many lists, which also included TV, movies, and other fun things. I did not really understand what Lent was at the time, so for years I pictured it a dreary time of doing without.

But what if we focus on the treasures that we receive during this 40-day season? Now that I have had time to mature in my faith, I love the Lenten season as a time of closeness with Jesus. A time to press in and walk with Him.

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43 (NIV)

In our garden, green shoots push through dead and decaying leaves, stems and black walnut shells left by feasting squirrels. Buds appear on the plum and apple trees. Like our 40-day walk with Jesus in the desert, this gray, damp, cold time of year brings beauty and hope if we look closely enough.

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:39 (NIV)

We can recognize His presence more often during Lent, as we commit to deeper prayer time and closer study of God’s word. We push through the remains of a barren season, grateful for patches of green.

So this is day one of a yearly journey that many will choose. I pray that your week is going well with unexpected blessings.

Monday Eye-Opener: That He May Lift You

Today we look forward not only to the new week, but also the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is my favorite time in the liturgical year — a time to walk closely with the Lord through the wilderness and toward the cross and resurrection. 

My husband John said it well, when he wrote:  

“My heart tells me as the Lenten Season is upon us all I really want are these 40 days in relationship with God. Please say a small prayer for me I do not travel from this path.”  

That’s really what the whole story is about, isn’t it? There is some risk as we surrender our old selves and reach for a new life in Christ. Where will this path through the wilderness take us? We are not accustomed to humbling ourselves these days.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV). 

God loves a humble heart. Yes, God can lift us up with His mighty hand, if we let go of our agendas and pride and wait on His unerring timing. 

As my husband added, 

“Please pray I do spend the 40 days of Lent and thereafter with Jesus. I feel this is my imperative to creating a rich and beautiful life. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

A good prayer to open our eyes this Monday morning, don’t you think?

A Different Kind of Ash Wednesday

 

This afternoon, I got goosebumps as I reflected on the beginning of Lent. I look forward to Lent as a time of closeness with the Lord, as He walks alongside each of us in our personal wildernesses.

I did not attend Ash Wednesday service at church this evening, because I am trying to avoid bringing the flu home to my husband and my mom — both at high risk for serious flu complications. My heart is both at home and at church, however, as I look forward to returning to church soon.

So back to the goosebumps. Maybe Lent has an even richer meaning for me after the past year, when my family trekked through the wildernesses of heart failure, depression, and anxiety. We lean on Jesus in the desert of grief as news headlines announce yet another mass shooting. Sometime plain old despair is the temptation we face in our desert.

But blessings have also abounded in recent months. Prayers for healing and recovery draw us close to the Lord and to each other.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’“ Matthew 4:4

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor” Isaiah 63:1

I love to observe this sacred day in community, at church. Today was a different kind of Ash Wednesday, but no less rich in meaning. And Easter is on its way.