Summer Blooms

This year we have had a true Spring in southern Ontario. Sunny, warm days, cool nights with spaced out gentle rain. My cedar trees, the ornamental grasses, and the hostas are thriving and loving it. I have an ivory lace lilac that has never bloomed like this year. The entire backyard is filled with an amazing perfume.

In the same way, the Christian is blessed by God's providential dealings, and He looks for fruit. Not flowers and perfume, but fruits of faith and repentance. Trials and afflictions are a part of God's providential work, and are meant to produce fruits of patience, submission, and trust in the Lord.

So bloom where you are planted, whatever the circumstances might be. Flowers give off a sweeter smell when they are crushed. God does what He has to in order to shape His people into what He wants them to be. He is the potter, we are the clay.

Jack.

We were a little late taking the picture; the blooms are starting to die already, but you get the idea :)