Bluebonnets

Early March holds the remnants of winter; the deciduous trees remain bare and the dormant grass reminds us of cold temperatures. Before the official start of spring, one variety of Texas wildflowers, bluebonnets, seem to pop up out of nowhere, before trees and grasses revitalize. At the tail end of winter in South Texas, blue-purple flowers emerge in grassy areas and rocky places.

Flowers emerge

At first, a lone flower appears. The next day more flowers appear and then, by the third day, a carpet of bluebonnets covers the fields. These wildflowers grow in the strangest places other than meadows; they thrive in rocky soil and alongside the highway.

The shape of the petal resembles a bonnet women used to wear to shield themselves from the sun. This early guest of spring germinates in the fall with small, almost hidden, green blades. Amazingly, the frost, snow (we have very little snow in south Texas), and cold temperatures don’t kill the delicate plant. The emerging bluebonnet blossoms signal spring with colors varying from blue to purple to violet or periwinkle.

Signal Spring

Bluebonnets become a celebrity in the news; the sighting of them brings excitement ushering in spring.

A celebrity

Not long after these delicate flowers erupt, the barren trees bud. Within a week, trees leaf out. The budding happens quickly. Every year I ask myself, “How does this happen?”?  

During winter we don’t notice new life under the brown earth. We are unaware of what is developing under the surface. I use the metaphor of physical seasons, comparing those seasons to our emotional seasons. We sometimes experience a winter of the soul, a time of grieving or suffering, when difficulties outnumber the blessings and when hope seems out of reach.

Winter of the soul

Dark months with long nights and lonely days are part of winter, so our spirit can endure a winter period. Maybe we pray or reach out to a friend or cry in despair during these times, thinking winter will never end. A friend, Norma Gail, writes of her Winter of the Soul. “Stripped of summer’s green grass and autumn’s glory, my heart lay bare and naked against cold, gray skies. “

The miracle of seasons

Somehow, through the miracle of the seasons, small flowers appear. With the first sightings of bluebonnets, we understand a change coming. Likewise, a miracle can occur, and amid our loneliness and sorrow, hope emerges.

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness. Desmond Tutu

It can start small and gradually grow with spring coming to our soul. I believe God imparts hope to us when circumstances appear grim or emotions ebb low. God comes bringing a holy expectation, called hope; hope generates faith. God gives fresh vision, much like the spring rain, to lighten our discouragement or despair.

Let’s know, let’s press on to know the Lord;
        whose appearing is as certain as the dawn;
        who will come to us like the showers,
        like the spring rains that give drink to the earth.” Hosea 6:3

When I observe the green buds and hear the chatter of the birds, I grasp spring is here. Daylight becomes longer and temperatures warm. Anticipation fills the air.

When I observe the bluebonnet, I think of God doing a new thing.

A new thing

Perhaps, you are in a winter of the soul with loneliness or trials. Be assured, God is constantly working.

Look for new life to arise.

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

 Hope and vision will emerge.

Anticipate God to do a new thing.

Friends, thank you for being part of the this blog. I would love to hear your comments about winter of the soul or hope.

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