The Promise

This magnificent Amaryllis has been showing off its glorious, tall, blooming self in our kitchen over the last few days. I had all but given up on it. The bulb, container, and potting medium had been a Christmas gift. I followed the watering and sunlight instructions for the last two and a half months but the shoot crept... ever-so-slowly... up and above the rim of the pot. I wondered, out loud, if the bulb was a dud, it seemed to be taking way too long. When I had all but given up hope Mr. Goodneedle was single-handedly keeping faith. A few weeks ago I noticed that the flower bud appeared to be swelling, a good sign. My own faltering hope was beginning to be kindled, remembrances of blooming bulbs in years-gone-by helped to fan the embers. This is what greeted me the week before last when I returned from a few days away! "See", my husband pointed out, "you just needed to believe that it was going to happen". Today, that second bud is swollen to near-bursting. I can't wait to watch in wonder as it reveals itself; further evidence of the promise that awaits the faithful. During these weeks of Lent, of preparation for what's to come, I'm reminded by this show-off flower of the promise has been there all along; it's as simple as holding on tightly to FAITH!

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.

 Life is Good!