My cyclamen is blooming, a lovely pink color – sort of fuchsia. But I bought it with the understanding that it would bloom into the dark purple I love.
What a surprise as the blossoms opened and produced a deep pink instead of the color I expected.
But then, as I waited a few days, the blooms started changing. With time, the cyclamen blooms sported the purple I wanted. I just had to wait for the desired result while the plant morphed through its photosynthetic process.
The correct color was there all along, hidden behind the curtains of time. Only the passage of days would bring out the true richness and verdure I longed to see.
Isn’t that so like life?
We start a project, write a story or journal about a dream. Then the project becomes a tree house. The story evolves into a novel. The dream wraps around a destiny.
We share coffee with a friend which eventually grows a relationship that adds color and joy to our lives.
We say, “Yes” to Jesus and end up living a life abundant with more grace giftings than we ever thought possible.
One circumstance morphs into another, delighting us with the spontaneity of change and surprising us with the richness of the final result.
Living within the surprises of life adds more fun than carefully structured days that grow old and boring in their regularity.
Perhaps we could also give permission for change to others – the opportunity to morph into a richer version of themselves.
Wouldn’t that attitude change how we relate to our children who may seem stuck in the teen years? We want to scream, “Grow up!” But that is exactly what they are doing.
What if we give permission for change to those in authority over us – to the systems of our society that seem stuck in historical and traditional morays.
It takes time for people and systems to change and as we morph into the America we hope to be, we will need to give daily grace.
What if we live in the joy of the surprise and truly learn that expectations do not always bring the best results.
We learn how to apply patience as we gradually grow into our faith, move into the next season of life and accept the things we cannot change.
If we could practice patience and apply grace for ourselves and for others, with our world and our destinies intact – perhaps we could live better lives and embrace the hidden hope of each day.
I am hoping for this type of grace as we approach the November elections. The blatant ugliness recorded on social media proves nothing except that we all need to grow up.
Our freedom to express opinions is a gift. Why use that freedom to destroy another soul?
How can we become our true color and exhibit the creative beauty God gave us if we don’t give each other the necessary time to morph into our best selves?
My hope is that no matter how much unraveling we experience, we will possess the integrity and the wisdom to grow internally and change into who we should really be.
©2016 RJ Thesman, Author of the Reverend G Trilogy
So true – I loved the flower image and I paid attention especially to giving others their very own time-frame and even being patient with myself.
Surprises seem to come every day when I don’t over plan to the point I don’t know what to do next unless I look at my planner.
We have to give ourselves grace, don’t we? Thanks for the comment, Evie !
Wow. Great challenge, friend. I always thought I liked change. But I soon found out I like change that I (emphasize “I”) orchestrate. Change that occurs within God’s plan, outside of my expectations, is so hard. But, it shows who is in control and gives me an opportunity to grow closer to the One who IS in control. Thanks, RJ.
Agreed! Changes that come from outside ourselves often become challenges. And of course, that’s where the faith lessons originate. Continued prayers for you in the changes you are encountering. Blessings !