2Friends
Enjoying my moments in the garden today. Hoping you can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation on this fine Monday morning.
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In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.
Psalm 90:6 – NIV
In my working years, mornings were about rushing. When the alarm clock sounded, I moaned with regret and launched out of bed. I raced through the face-washing, teeth-brushing, hair-combing routines, then scrambled into a uniform and shoes before flying out the door. Breakfast was a granola bar and Diet Coke consumed in the car. There was no time to linger, no time to savor, no time to do anything but hurry.
Retirement mornings are oh, so different. Instead of guzzling down a soda, I slowly sip my hot tea laced with honey. Instead of racing out the back door, I stroll to the front door, step onto my porch, and plop down in my glider. Instead of rush hour traffic encircling me, I am surrounded by the bright blooms of my flowers. It’s definitely a much better way to start the day, and a retirement gift I am still treasuring!
After breakfast, it’s time to stroll through my garden. I take my time, pausing at each pot to notice new growth and admire each bloom. I stop to run my fingers through the fronds of my ferns. I like the velvety-feel of the purple ageratum. The happy faces of my daisies and vinca never fail to make me smile. All the while, I’m cooing at each plant, paying compliments for beautiful blooms and offering soothing words of encouragement. No doubt, the neighbors think I’m crazy!
My stroll takes a while, weaving through the large garden that extends the length of our ranch-style home. It’s at the end of my stroll that I find my late summer show-stopper. It’s a large perennial hibiscus bush, and it’s a thing of beauty! The blooms are the size of dinner plates, and the color is a deep china red.
I have always been wowed by the spectacular beauty of a hibiscus bloom, and in the first few years of retirement, I bought a variety of annual hibiscus. I purchased an assortment of colors, from hot pink to coral to yellow with a deep red center. I was fascinated by the daily surprise of a new bright bloom, but unfortunately, so were the squirrels that frequent my yard. Apparently, hibiscus leaves are quite tasty, and the squirrels delighted in sampling this delicacy, often stripping the leaves straight down to the stalks!
Another issue was that hibiscus need frequent watering. Once Eric and I embraced RV travel, such watering became difficult. Between my pest problem and watering challenges, I gave up on annual hibiscus after a couple of summers.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a perennial hibiscus until I noticed one in my plant-loving neighbor’s yard. She must have recognized my love for hibiscus, because when she found one on a late-summer sale, she brought it home for me. It didn’t look like much at the time, just a few spindly stalks, but ever the optimist, I planted it in a bright sunny spot and hoped for the best.
The stalks didn’t look promising the next spring, but by early summer, the plant began putting out lush green foliage. Still, there were no blooms, and I wondered if I had done something wrong. I soon learned that patience was required. In mid-July, I rounded the corner and caught my breath in surprise. There, just waiting for me, was one of those giant red blooms, the first of many such daily delights.
The number of blooms on any given day varies greatly. Sometimes, the bush is covered in blooms, while other days, there is only one or two flowers. Every day is unique, sparking a delightful sense of anticipation, as I wonder how many blooms will there be today.
Hibiscus are also unique in that their brilliant blooms only last for one day. You can see the tiny buds form amidst their surrounding leaves. Day after day, the buds grow slowly, taking their time, choosing their moment of debut with care. Their time of preparation culminates in the birth of a beautiful bloom that emerges with the first rays of sunlight, opening fully as the morning proceeds.
What a treat those bright blooms are, and yet, they only last for a day. I have been known to make several trips to the garden on a given day just to see the blooms once more, knowing they will be gone tomorrow. I have to make time to see them. There are no do-overs, no second chances. I get one day, one opportunity to enjoy their splendor and then the moment is gone forever.
In our hectic, fast-paced lives, we spend our days doing much, but seeing little. Our agendas are so full, our minds so cluttered. What are we missing? What blessings are before us right now? What are we failing to notice as we rush past, anxious and unaware?
Each new day begins with the splendor of a sunrise and ends with the majesty of a sunset, yet in our frenzied pace, it’s easy to miss those marvels. We rush right on by, too anxious, too busy, too distracted to even notice.
Every day, God places opportunities in our paths. There are opportunities to offer a smile, a kind word, a warm hug. We are given the chance to greet our loved ones with the precious words, “I love you.” There are blessings to be savored, and good deeds to be done.
But these moments pass. There is no certainty of their availability tomorrow. There is only today, this time, this moment. There are no do-overs, no second chances. We get one moment to bloom, and then the moment is gone.
That red hibiscus is a thing of beauty, but its beauty is fleeting, and its moments measured. Likewise, our days are numbered, and our opportunities short-lived. How much longer do we have to bloom?
Friends, let’s make the most of this day, seeing its blessings fully, breathing in its delights. May we step out with renewed fervor to do the good things God has set before us. May we bloom brightly and share the love of God with all those we meet along the way.
Sending blessings to you from the garden today!
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The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8 – NIV
PRAYER
O God of Beauty and Splendor, O God of Majesty and Delight, we praise You for the morning, for the gift of a new day. Let us not waste it, but see the delights awaiting us with fresh eyes and right spirits. Help us to do the good works You have in store for us. Equip us to lighten our neighbor’s load, to share a smile, to offer encouragement. Thank You, Lord, for all your blessings and for loving us beyond measure.
In the Bountiful Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 8/4/2025
Faith Beyond Sight 