Beauty in its Time

Last fall our front yard was an absolute mess! A small truck and a trailer of tools adorned the lawn, while a Caterpillar dug up the driveway and sidewalk and tore out the front porch. Each day presented a bit of a challenge to enter and exit the house. The contractor had a plan in his head, and our entry and egress changed daily as the work progressed. The most creative entry involved riding to our front door in the bucket of a digger. That put a whole new spin on “bucket seats”!

The contractor chose a variety of new plants for two small garden plots near the newly constructed porch. Although we discussed our likes and dislikes, we left the details to him. It is evident from his work that God has given to that man an artistic gift and a vision for beauty that neither my husband nor I possess.

Through the next few months, the yard lay seeded and covered in straw, eventually hidden under a heavy blanket of snow. We wondered if anything could survive the cold and harshness of our northwest Ohio weather. By spring, we were thrilled to see tiny green shoots begin to resemble a lawn. The mystery plants near the house turned green again. Everything survived!

Over the next two months we experienced the heaviest rainfall to hit our area in years. Small grassy shoots turned into taller and taller plants. Eventually the largest ones began wearing feathery crowns that glisten in the sunlight. Abundant buds have popped out everywhere, and the mystery plants are identifiable yellow daylilies. Every day the scene is different as new buds open. Every day it is more beautiful than the one before.

While reading through Ecclesiastes recently, I came across these words in chapter 3, verse 11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (NIV)

My grandson asked me recently why I’ve been standing at the front door and staring outside. I’ve been observing the beauty of our yard and pondering the wonder of our God, who has made everything beautiful. It’s been amazing to see the full picture that our landscaper had in mind when he set the plants in place last year. But it’s more amazing to realize that God has a picture of eternity in His mind, and He brings beauty to all things in His time. We just need to trust Him and wait on His timing.

Carol C. and her husband have been married for 50 years.  She is a proud mother and grandmother, as well as a teacher and author.  Check out our new study 1 Peter: Suffering & Faith.  You can listen to any of our Bible studies by tuning in to your favorite radio station, listening to our podcast on iTunes, or listening through TuneIn or Stitcher online radio.