Late Bloomer

In early September, I purchased four large mums at a greenhouse nearby. Wanting to be sure that I was able to enjoy the blooms all through the fall, I sought out plants that were hearty green and had lots of buds but not yet open. While three of them opened as anticipated and brought beauty for September, October and into November, one of my mums had not opened when my husband and I traveled to Utah in early November. We came home from that trip to ice and snow. As I looked at my snow covered mums and saw the one that had not bloomed all fall, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “that was a waste of money.”

Imagine my surprise and delight, when I looked out and saw that mum blooming in the first week of December!

What a beautiful reminder that what might appear in my mind to be the right time for something, is not always true. And what I may consider a waste or be inclined to give up on, may just need more time, more loving compassion, or freedom to bloom in it’s own way.

In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter 
there's a spring that waits to be, 
unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, 
seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness 
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; 
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see.

Natalie Sleeth