When our son was born we were gifted a Jacaranda seedling to celebrate his birth. We planted the seedling in our front yard next to our fence along with a jasmine vine. Where we live there are a lot of heavy frosts.
In that first year, the seedling got hit pretty hard, but it was still standing. When the spring arrived the jasmine seemed to just take off, as Jasmine does. It was really beautiful and the scent was intoxicating. We had cleared a space amongst the jasmine for the jacaranda to still get light. It seemed to be doing okay.
Unfortunately the summer was not kind to our little jacaranda and it lost all it’s leaves and was just a stick in the ground. I did not have the heart to pull it out. So it remained there. The Jasmine had grown beautifully during the summer months and by the end of summer it had completely covered the stick that was once our jacaranda.
One day we were out pottering around in the front garden and I noticed a foreign looking plant growing out through the top of the Jasmine. I was about to pull it out, but paused and gently pulled back the Jasmine, and to my surprise it was our little Jacaranda, which had now developed into a sapling.
It had not died. The Jasmine that had grown over it had provided warmth and protection for this little seedling. During this time, it was able to send roots down deep into the soil. Our little Jacaranda was now a strong sapling.
42 years later, the Jasmine is long gone, but right there standing strong, tall and proud is the most beautiful Jacaranda which brings us such delight. It is a thing of beauty that also brings joy to so many others.
My life has been, and continues to be, like this seedling. I have been hit hard by the frosts and darkness of life, but always there, covering me, lifting my head has been God. God, who knew me before I was born. God, who placed all the potential in me to be a strong, beautiful person, who can bring life and joy to others.
I don’t feel joyful always. I don’t feel strong always. I don’t feel beautiful always. Just because I don’t ‘feel’ that way doesn’t mean I have failed, it means I am going through seasons. Embrace your season, growth is happening and tomorrow the flowers will bloom again.
Captivating Freedom 