New Every Morning

  Lamentations 3:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Two years ago I bought a tropical passion flower.  It has wonderful lovely deep red flowers. The blossoms close and begin withering each evening. They bloom only for one day. But then the next morning, I am greeted by new vibrant flowers.

I’ve read many verses in the Bible that tell us that what can be known of God is revealed in creation.  His nature, his power, his love and creativity are shown to us by the world he made.  My belief has become that if a person is seeking truth without boundary, he will find God through the clues left in creation. 

Jesus also used natural, human and earthy stories to reveal the truth of the kingdom of God in a way that the searching heart could grasp it.  So, if the character and plan of God are revealed in His creation, surely these lovely flowers have something to teach.
Each day new passion flowers -new compassion and hope- open.  They are not the ones that closed the night before, but new ones open to bless and bring a smile each morning. Yesterday’s blessings are gone.  They dry up and wither.

The last short while has been very taxing.  My health has changed.  Our income has changed.  Our family dynamic has changed.  We've welcomed a new grandson.  We've lost a dear son-in-law.  Sometimes the good has just overwhelmed me and sometimes the sad and hard things of life take my breath.  Often, I awake with a heart heavy with concern.  The worries of the day overshadow my plans and duties.  I know God is there with provision, but it lies behind a fog that seems to be my reality.

Sometimes the people we lean on move out from our reach; a chapter closes, leaving us groping for support.  Sometimes I would like to be that support for others, but I cannot be.  The joy of this day will not be there tomorrow and yet neither will its cares.  We were told not to fret about tomorrow because tomorrow will have trouble enough of its own. 

Yet this I see in the small world I occupy: if I open my heart and my eyes, I will see new blossoms of joy and love, peace and hope that open all around me.  They will not last until tomorrow, but God’s love and compassion never fails.  They are new every morning waiting for our hearts to see and smile.

These lovely flowers are there to remind me to hope in the salvation God brings this day.