Sunday, July 27, 2008


But let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. -- James 1:4

That pretty Hollyhock in the picture above has a story to tell today. This poor little plant has, through no fault of it's own, had to battle it's way to fruition. Literally. Because of me.

Rewind. A couple of years ago this plant came up right outside our door. It was just this ugly, big-leafed plant that appeared to me like a nice food group for grasshoppers judging by the holes in the leaves. Ugly. So I pulled it up and that was that. Same thing last year. Persistent little thing, anyway. When it came up again this year, I decided to let it grow and see what happened. Well, it grew and grew and, frankly, still just looked to me like a huge ugly weed of some sort. Then one day, lo and behold, there were tiny buds growing and, before I knew it this plant bloomed into a beautiful pink flower and said, "Geez, lady, it's about time... a little patience, puleeeze".

Concerning patience, The Message Bible states it this way: So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Here, here cried Hollyhock!

Had I just let Holly do her thing when it first sprouted, we would've enjoyed her blooms sooner. But, because of my lack of patience--I only had to wait 6 weeks--we missed out on two seasons of enjoying the beauty in this pink flower.
There are so many times I want to hurry things along, a.k.a. chop it down and move on, thinking I'm helping the situation when, in reality, I'm slowing up the process the Lord is trying to bring me through altogether. Patience takes...well...patience. No other way around it. But the end result--maturity, completeness, lacking nothing--is well worth the wait, dont you think?

Ok, Holly, lesson learned!

It's All BEAUTIFUL MONDAY Good!

11 comments:

  1. Pretty flower, beautiful analogy, Brenda! :o)

    Have a great, BEAUTIFUL Monday.

    Love and hugs,

    Diane

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  2. This is a great lesson!

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  3. Beautiful lesson! In both patience and persistence. Your Holly is magnificent!

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  4. Beautiful word. Sort of ties in with mine today!!! Isn't that neat the way God does that!!!!
    Susan

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  5. I'm Michelle. I live in Gilbert Arizona. I saw your name on the list, Linda sent. I wanted to say hello! :)

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  6. We all need to practice having a little more patience. Pretty flower.

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  7. I know I need some lessons in patience, but i am wise enough not to pray for it! I know all too well that if I pray for patience then I will be wallowing in problems and stress!

    Have a wonderful week.

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  8. Oh Brenda That was the best little tale (:) Loved it..made my night..it is almost 11:00 pm and
    I've been painting..FLOWER MARKET signs and decided to check the ..........ol'blog..
    Glad I did..and I love that beautiful Hollyhock....they are one of my favorite flowers..I have had them afew times over the years... I better grow some next year.. hugs Patty

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  9. I have tried to grow Hollyhocks a time or to, to no avail. I didn't know that they would make a comeback all by themselves...or were they a present of a bird? What-ever. I will take them anyway they come. Connie

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  10. Nice story... great lesson! Too bad patience isn't more easily learned, right? Blessings!

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  11. Love your words sis. I think I'll use them this weekend while we wait for our news of David.
    You are a beautiful person, full of beauty in so many ways and you especially have a beautiful way with words.
    love ya, 'old' sis to 'young' sis. (Beautiful isn't it?) Be happy!

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