Joys…Past, Present and Future
“You
have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me
with joy in your
presence.”*
One
source of joy
in my life among many others has been in raising orchids and
watching them
bloom. I have only owned a few, and just common ones, but there
is always great
excitement when something else besides roots begins growing from
the base of an
orchid.
“Look,
there’s a
spike on this one,” I’ll tell Al, holding it up for him to see.
Since orchids
don’t bloom very often, maybe only once or twice a year, it’s
always a big
event in our household.
In
the past, the
finicky plants would only last a few months before turning
yellow, withering up
and dying. On three or four trips to the coast, Al and I visited
a nursery that
specialized in orchids. Each time we brought one home, knowing
that it probably
wouldn’t make it. And we were right!
Maybe it was the hot climate
of the central
valley of California or over-watering. Whatever the reason, I
just couldn’t
seem to keep them alive and finally gave up trying. But then I
met a neighbor
who raised orchids as a hobby, dozens of them and of many
different varieties.
Our
Springville
neighbor, Darlene, was suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
at that time.
She needed help caring for her plants. When we met and her need
became known, I
volunteered to help, warning her about my black orchid thumb.
She laughed and
told me that there were definite things to do and things not to
do and that she
would show me whenever I came over to her house.
Darlene
was a good
teacher, explaining what to use for potting the orchids, when to
water and
where to place them so that they would get enough sun, but not
be burned by the
powerful rays. It wasn’t until later though that I tried raising
them on my own…in
our laundry room!
Besides
the do’s
and don’ts of orchid care, we also talked a great deal about
spiritual matters.
She was greatly concerned about her future, especially as her
body became
increasingly unable to function as it should. One day I asked
her if she would
like to have the pastor of our church come for a visit.
“I’d
like that
very much,” she immediately responded. After hearing about
Darlene’s situation,
he agreed and I offered to go along with him. We three sat in a
circle, with
Darlene in her wheelchair, listening to her questions, talking
and listening
some more. She was eager to make things right with God,
surrendering her life
to Jesus that afternoon.
It
was amazing
seeing her face shine with joy and hope, the anxious expression
replaced by one
of peace. I was overjoyed as well, knowing that Jesus would be
with her,
helping her face the future. Al and I continued to visit
Darlene, caring for
the plants, bringing communion to her on Sundays, reading the
Bible to her and
praying with and for her.
After
she passed
away, I couldn’t see an orchid without thinking of her. I was
hesitant to try raising
them in Michigan, thinking that it would be too cold— completely
the opposite
from a tropical climate. However, Al surprised me with two
purple and white Phalaenopsis
or “moth” orchids shortly after moving into our house. And then,
friends who
were moving gave us another Phalaenopsis, just as Al and I had
bequeathed all
of our plants to friends and family before our move from
California.
Three
orchids, oh
my! They were placed near a window in the kitchen with a purple
grow light for
rainy or foggy days. The orchids must have liked the humidity in
that
environment, because just a few weeks ago I noticed spikes
beginning to develop
on two of them.
“Look,
honey,” I excitedly
called to Al, “the orchids are going to bloom!”
While
I am waiting
with anticipation for the flowering of the orchids, I am also
filled with joy
as I wait in anticipation of celebrating Jesus’ “birthday,” a
little over a
month away… Jesus, who offers new life and the hope of being
with Him in heaven
forever to all those who put their trust in Him.
No
matter what
else is going on in our lives, may we rejoice in God’s gift of
Jesus to all
people during this holiday season and all year long.
*Acts 2:28 NIV
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| The new blooms on the new orchids in our new house and our new state...👍😉 |
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| Collection of orchids grown in the laundry room in Springville |
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| "Oh, happy day!" |
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