Butterflies, Blossoms and Good News!

        

   Tucked away in a rough and tumble neighborhood of Detroit is large plot of land that has been developed into a cut flower garden, a bright spot of color and vibrant with life. Al and I rode with our daughter Shanda into the city last Saturday looking for this garden, also known as “Detroit Abloom.”

Shanda was going to play her viola in a string quartet for a community event there and we were invited to accompany her. Of course, we accepted. What a treat!

We drove past abandoned houses, junky vacant lots, blocks of well-cared for homes and other streets with neglected houses, following Shanda’s GPS until we finally saw the sign “Detroit Abloom” at the entrance of the gardens.

While she was warming up for the performance, Al and I walked around some of the flower beds, admiring the sunflowers, butterfly bushes and other flowers growing in profusion.

Monarch butterflies were especially abundant around the purple blooms of the butterfly bushes. Purple and orange…very beautiful to see. There was a butterfly nursery where butterflies and moths are raised, obviously successful with the numbers of them inhabiting the gardens.

He and I followed a path around the gazebo where the quartet would be performing to a small raised pond covered with lily pads in bloom. It was mesmerizing to a couple of children who stood leaning over the edge looking for fish. With just a few minutes to spare, we visited the “Kids Abloom” area behind the pond with more flower gardens and places for children to explore and learn.

As the concert began, we hurried to get a couple of seats, first out in the direct sunlight but then relocating to a shady spot under a tree with low hanging branches. About fifty people gathered, some sitting on the ground on blankets, others on lawn chairs or chairs provided by the organizers.

The smell of grease filtered through the air, as Chick Pea fritters were cooked over a fire pit. It was an especially warm, humid day, which must have been miserable for the cook as he stood near the open flames. The fritters, an African dish, were complimentary for the crowd to snack on while enjoying the music.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra quartet was made up of two violinists, a cellist and Shanda on the viola. Over the course of an hour, they entertained us with a variety of music—classical, baroque, Broadway hits and a little bit of “Motown” too.

From my vantage point underneath the tree, I watched birds and butterflies flitting over the sea of colorful flowers in the garden. The afternoon at Detroit Abloom was truly a unique sensory experience.

Hearing Shanda perform with the quartet was especially sweet after her sharing some positive news with us about the journey with cancer that she’s been on since 2015.  Recent brain scans showed no new growths, resulting in changing the protocol of treatments she has been following.

The medication prescribed by Shanda’s doctor about a month ago had worked well to reduce symptoms she had recently started experiencing, a great answer to prayer. Because it caused some negative side effects, she was happy that the doctor said she could reduce the amount she was taking, another answer to prayer. Her ability to play the viola has not been affected by any of the treatments she has undergone—truly miraculous.

            The delicate butterflies at Detroit Abloom reminded me of the transformation that happens when we put our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. We aren’t there yet and most of us have a long road ahead with plenty of obstacles to overcome. Our bodies are fragile, vulnerable to disease. However, we have hope that through the work of the Holy Spirit we are being changed inwardly, becoming more and more like Jesus until that time when we are with Him forever.

That hope is our Good News!

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’

“ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’” John 3:3-6 NIV