Follow the Sun

 

The sunflowers Flick planted at school are shooting up and needing to be planted outside. But Flick, the tender gardener, is afraid to put them out. What if something eats them? There are aphids on the roses. What if a slug or snail gets there and spoils them?

Possibly we could repot them and keep them inside the conservatory, I tell her. But for them to be as tall and beautiful as they were created to be, they need to go outside. They need to bask in the full sunlight. We need to watch out for the beasties, and water and stake and tend them, and leave the rest to God.

It is a risk we have to take if we want these sunflowers to flourish.

Life is a risk for all of us. We have been languishing inside prescribed areas, mingling with limited numbers, for over a year now. Gradually, we are tiptoeing out, beginning to mingle, beginning to gather. Of course, there will always be risks, but vibrant lives thrive in the open, being careful but bold as we step out in faith.

God delights in showering us with his love and blessings. Blessing upon blessing. On Saturday, the Lord threw open the floodgates of heaven and poured out so much blessing my heart is overflowing. All seventeen of our immediate family (from three households) gathered under blue skies to celebrate Doug’s birthday. First time we were all together for nearly a year.

With eight grandchildren 6 years old and under, I couldn’t say it was peaceful. But there were few tears, mostly squeals of delight and surprise (at how cold the water in the paddling pool was…)

I love the way the sunflower turns to follow the sun in its course across the skies. Today, and every day, may our faces be turned to the Son, so that his brightness would blot out every shadow of concern and fill our hearts with peace, as we trust in him.