Fall on my knees

We did something this fall that we've wanted to do for several years.

We planted bulbs!

I love to plant bulbs in the fall.  With every little hole I dig, and with each carefully-placed bulb planted, it's just a tiny deposit toward beauty for the spring.

It's like planting hope.

Lamentations 3:25-26
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Because no matter how long Minnesota winters are, there is always the promise of springtime.  The promise that we start doubting sometime in March, the promise we feel betrayed by in April, the promise that usually reaches fulfillment sometime in May.

The older I get, the longer the winters, which is ironic, because the older I get the faster time seems to go as well.  I guess this is a good combination.

I need the hope of those bulbs.  Although I love fall, I am also reminded that it will be a lo-o-o-o-ng time before we frolic in the sprinkler again.

Down on my hands and knees, brushing away mulch to dig another hole, I'm reminded of the seasons of life - not just in regards to age, but in regards to stages - the stage of living with a lot, the stage of living with a little, the stage of being surrounded by little ones, the stage of seeing them leave.  The stage of dealing with this sin issue, the stage of dealing with that sin issue, the stage of dealing with this other sin issue, ....

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us a eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

I'm reminded of His Word - chock full of promises for us to claim in His name.  Like the bulbs, the promises are ours to hold onto, standing firm with faith that "spring" is coming.  And when spring does arrive, there are these beautiful markers of His faithfulness creeping up all over the place.

James 1:12
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."