» ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’ » (Isaiah 41:10).
ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, a gardener came to my house to do a job, he planted a bush of pink flowers called azalea in the middle of the garden. From that moment on, it became our family pride. Year after year, its foliage was more beautiful and, when spring came, it bloomed magnificently. Its roots deepened and its trunk began to thicken, becoming every day more vigorous and beautiful, then, something happened.
One day, I looked at it and noticed that its leaves had begun to fault and its branches were drying up. I checked the roots to see if they had been affected by any pests or insects, but nothing seemed to be attacking them The gardener simply told me that its life cycle was over and that it was better to replace it with a younger azalea. I couldn’t believe it, let alone wanted to accept it! Replace it with a younger one? I was horrified by the idea. So, I changed the soil, fed it nutrients, pruned the dead branches and the rain did the rest. Amazing! My azalea was restored! Once again it was beautiful as ever.
We are like beautiful flowers, and God is our Gardener. He wants us to show the exuberant beauty of the Christian woman, and that’s why He provides us with care so that our personal growth is harmonious; however, the inclement conditions of a sinful world sometimes spoil our natural essence, and that’s when God begins our restoration. If we allow Him, He will make us anew.
God provides us with the sun of righteousness, which we receive abundantly when we pray and study His Word. Other times, its necessary for Him to prune the dry branches of our character allowing trials of suffering and pain. Then, we receive the showers of grace in response to our afflictions regaining our lushness and beauty, then we are ready to share with other women His redemptive and saving work.
Dear friend, today is your day to grow and bloom. It doesn’t matter what soil you’re standing on; God works on every kind of ground. Exhale your own perfume, accept your shape and color, and praise your Creator!