I sure wish I had tulips in my yard.

Tulips are my favorite flower.

I love how sometimes they droop awkwardly and other days they stand up tall. I can relate. Tulips seem both gentle and strong with colors that are calming and vibrant. If only I had planted tulip bulbs last fall, I would be enjoying them today. I talked about planting them, and even planned to go ‘all out’ by planting them in the front and the back of my home.

But, I didn’t do it.

As summer ended and the cooler temperatures moved in, my eyes turned to pumpkin. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice anything. I still loved tulips, but I didn’t really feel like working in the dirt anymore. I was ready for a break from yard work, weeding, watering, etc. The daylight hours were getting shorter, so I put all the yard tools, pots, patio furniture cushions and the hose away rather than planting tulip bulbs.

Now, I wish I had taken a little time to plant my favorite flower. I hate the feeling of regret.

What do you want in your life but have not

invested the time and energy needed for it to happen,

and now you regret it?

At the time the tulip bulbs needed to be planted, I didn't keep my focus what I would enjoy months later, but couldn’t see at that time. I was distracted by fall.

In this time of uncertainty and emotional chaos in our world, we are in a position to make choices today that will impact our future, the future of other people and to focus on Hope of what is to come.

The apostle Paul pleaded with the people in Ephesus...

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

The corona-virus has reminded us that suffering does not discriminate. Yet God works His redemptive purposes through suffering to help us know Him better, draw near to Him, and grow our character and faith. I have been thinking of people who lived through hard times well before we were here to face our life challenges and global pandemic.

Think about Noah who was warned of a flood when no one had ever seen rain.

“By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear,

built an ark to save his family.” Hebrews 11:7.

I can only imagine how hard Noah worked to do what God had instructed him with no context for what was really going to happen with a flood. He had to trust what God said and how God would provide.

Abraham also had to trust what God promised while circumstances contradicted His Word…

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed

and so became the father of many nations,

just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Romans 4:18

We are hearing in the news statistics of shortages, estimates of fatalities and other very sad possibilities due to COVID-19. God has provided the Word of God to keep our focus on what is true, in spite of what we see.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

after you have suffered a little while,

will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” Romans 8:10-11

I don’t want to have regrets at the end of this unique time in the history of our world. I want to walk in hope of what can never perish, spoil or fade, even if feeling sad today.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:3-6

So, I am asking God to fix my eyes on Him, to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, so I can run this race! (Hebrews 12:2) We have Hope during and after this season of quarantine, social isolation and working from home. We will see beauty from ashes, new life with vibrant colors standing tall or awkwardly leaning into the sun. Let's not give up or get distracted like I did with pumpkin and later feel regret.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

What do you not want to do today, but will likely be so glad you did?

Stay home, give generously, pray, read the bible more than watch TV

Clean out the garage, drop off dinner to someone who lives alone,

express gratitude intentionally....

Consider all God has already done to bring salvation to whosoever believes in Jesus and trust His promise to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

Let's plant God's Truth in the garden of our hearts and homes, where our family and neighbors will notice and ask where we found such faith, hope and love. The time to plant truth & love is now believing God's Word never returns to Him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Blessings,

Mary Beth, April 1, 2020