A Touch of Summer in Winter
28 Dec 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, daily, devotional, fragrance, illness, Lynn, perseverance, Severance, winter
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
It is early December [as I write this]. The aromas of fresh pine boughs, sugars and spices often fill our homes. Those of us who live with physical challenges pray for the energy to experience seasonal joys while hoping to balance other aspects of our daily lives.
Today, the side effects of a new medication left me dizzy and off balance. This happened last week too, but gratefully eased out over a few days. I persevered and went out for a walk and for exercise. Our weather here in western Washington allowed for this. Faith and my friendly cane accompanied me.
My route took me past one house with a white picket fence. In summer, hollyhocks and sweet peas abounded in this setting. This cold day, I noticed that the hollyhocks had been cut back. Much to my amazement, I discovered three sweet pea blooms that continued to hang on their vines. I sniffed, but the literal fragrance of the blooms had gone, although their form and tenacity remained.
In these moments, I sensed the Lord give me some understanding – that my efforts to hang on had not gone unnoticed. He saw me clinging to him as my Vine, desiring to flourish even if the elements around me were harsher. Those persistent sweet pea blooms had probably drunk deeply from the nourishment of their vines during better sunny days. How much more then can I, who now live in the garden of God’s love and care, continue to trust his nurture if I but remember to cling to him?
Prayer: Lord, help me persevere. During those moments that can overwhelm me with despair, lead me to the fragrance that is you. Let me breathe deeply to inhale trust, hope, faith and steadfastness that will keep me nourished in all seasons. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.
Dec 28, 2009 @ 23:11:24
Lynn,
Beautiful description of hanging onto God. You made me think about my own relationship with Jesus. Thank you.
Blessings,
Dana
Dec 29, 2009 @ 07:37:02
Dear Lynn,
What a beautiful devotion you wrote with such meaning. I was right there with you in every sense as you wrote this message.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
blessings, Belle
Dec 29, 2009 @ 09:55:37
Hi Lynn!
Love the sweet pea illustration. Clinging to the vine for nourishment is absolutely necessary, for the flowers and for us.
It reminds me of Ps. 62:1 that I read this morning. My New King James Version says, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; …” I was curious about what the “silently” really meant and checked out some other translations. The Jerusalem Bible has “In God alone there is rest for my soul.” Clinging to anyone or anything else will not meet our deepest needs. But, how wonderful that He can and will.
Thanks Lynn for another devotional from your heart.
Beth
Dec 29, 2009 @ 10:52:48
Dear Dana, Belle and Beth – thank you. Is there a lovelier fragrance than sweet peas?
Here is a behind the scenes peek into this writing. 12/5/08 a friend suggested I write for RM. 12/6/08 I went out on this walk I describe in the writing. That evening I was writing about my thoughts of my walk in my journal and a “light bulb went on”. It occurred to me that I had just written a devotional – got it spruced up a bit and sent it to RM as one of my two samples of writing. That was the beginning.
Now – a bit over a year since I wrote it , I resubmitted it and it got posted! I went back to my sweet pea spot this summer and got some photos of them in full bloom!
Am storing up that scene, too!
Love,
Lynn
Dec 30, 2009 @ 06:04:12
Lynn: Thanks for sharing that background story. As my son would say, “Cool!”
Beth