See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. (Song 2:11–12).
Growing a garden can be a long and arduous process. I discovered this in the spring when, after moving into our first home with a backyard, I decided I would try to grow some vegetables. I planted. I watered. I waited. I stressed about cold fronts and heavy rain. I wondered whether I was working for nothing. Then, one day, there it was: a perfectly red, round tomato. I nearly screamed with excitement, and I made my husband come out and look at it. I couldn’t believe what I had found!
We are meant to experience the highs and the lows of life with the people around us. I wanted my husband to see the fruit of my labor (literally) so he could share in my delight. Two times, the maiden was called to “arise and come” with her beloved. He wished to experience the beauty of spring with her, to share in the flowers and the doves. God desires for us to exist in this same type of community with people—people like our spouses, friends, and family.
There are times when seeing the good in hard moments is difficult. Do not miss that God has richly blessed all of us with people who are there to help us see the beauty of a new season after the rain.
Remember that God wants you to experience his goodness in all seasons.
Lindsey Gorveatte is an ordained Wesleyan pastor who currently serves with her husband at The Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
