27/366 The best $1.24 I've spent in a while- Paperwhite musings

more blooms greeted me this morning

the bulbs were all planted in the same soil
in the same pot
at the same time

they are all Paperwhites
they have all received the same care
the same amount of water
the same amount of darkness
the same amount of sunshine
the same temperature/climate
they are growing/maturing/blooming at different speeds

life lessons from my $1.24 investment:

• I have yet to hear one compare themselves to another
• no complaints about the growth process either
• obscurity preceded visibility
• darkness and being covered over are a necessary part of the life cycle
• the bulbs can't grow on their own, outside influences have a hand in it (planting, watering, staking if need be, etc.)
• growth that can't be seen precedes growth than can be seen
• even the same species, in the same environment, doesn't experience growth at the same rate
• early bloomers are the exception, rather than the rule
• being bent at some point in the day does not disqualify you from finishing strong
• being drawn to the sun affects the way you face/lean/grow (it straightened that one guy upright today)

this morning...

this evening

While looking intently at the flowers this morning I noticed a "hood" of sorts that must have covered them before they bloomed. It makes me think about the Father surrounding me, protecting me, keeping me where I need to be until I am mature enough to "bloom". I will never be out of His sight, nor His care, but I have experienced Him holding me back, saying "not yet" because I wasn't ready.

I have under appreciated the delicate beauty and strength of Paperwhites.

I have no idea how many bulbs were planted, but I am thankful for every one of them.

I am being reminded of valuable life lessons in new ways by them each day.