Rain
moving in, so late yesterday I captured a neighbor’s stunning ornamental cherry
tree, because I knew, the forecast deluge would shear the blooms from the tree.
Sure
enough in a steady downpour this morning, the ground grows pink from a blanket
of petals.
So,
I’m talking to my daughter about a fender-bender she was involved in yesterday--the
verdict on the ticket amount yet to be
determined as well as other fallout like insurance rates.
“So
much money gone.” She splits her time between school and a part time job
and laments the hard earned money draining away.
Petals
falling down.
A quote from this incomparable writer comes to
mind again, “Can it be that, that which seems to oppose the will of God
actually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God? That which seems evil
only seems so because of perspective, the way the eyes see the shadows. Above
the clouds, light never stops shining.”
Can
it be?
As
we look across life at all the petals falling down—the dreams derailed, lives
seemingly cut short, relationships shattered, sicknesses borne, and financial
reversals, we study hard the words in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose.”
All
things?
All
things.
No one was injured in the accident yesterday, and that is worth an infinite number of ticket amounts. In fact, the cars were barely damaged. Another praise going up.
What
we often don’t know is how God works behind the scenes in this situation and others, and we may never know in this life. As we continually offer our
prayers, we trust that what God has allowed, God intends to use.
If
my neighbor’s tree were a fruit bearing cherry tree rather than an ornamental
one, next we'd see tiny cherries forming. Fruit follows falling
petals. So for us, if we cling to God in a deluge, we’ll find fruit follows.
The
rain pelts the roof right now, but as one beauty fades, it gives way to another
of green leaves and lush grass made full by the mulch of all the petals fallen down.