Denver Seminary

April in August! Evidence of April arrives in my garden in August every year. It’s easy to miss it. And missing it means we miss something important for our soul.

In August, when my garden is a riot of color and in its richest maturity of the summer, April peeks through. The tender and delicate leaves of my Grape Hyacinth emerge amidst my perennials and annuals, my roses, lavender and daisies and my geranium and petunias. 

Grape Hyacinth come from bulbs. The April blooms need the August emergence. The grass-like leaves could easily be mistaken for an invasion of unwanted weeds in my summer flower bed that needs a ruthless weeding. But these lovely leaves come in August and remain green in my winter garden waiting for the April blooms, receiving the nourishment of the sun’s rays and transferring that energy to the bloom that is still a twinkle in God’s eye.

When the calendar says April has arrived, the grassy leaves make way for six-inch spikes of tiny blue flowers fused together and resembling a cluster of grapes. These lovely early to mid-spring bloomers add a rich bluish/purple contrast to my early tulips, crocus and daffodils.

Why bother in August to celebrate the common-looking, grassy leaves of this April bloomer?

• Hope!  There is a long winter between August and April. When one’s soul seems dry and neglected, disconnected from the life of the Spirit, we must pay attention to the evidence of God’s faithful action on one’s heart. God often shows up in unexpected places and unnoticed ways. Hope in the fulfillment of the promises of God keeps us straining toward Him during the winter season of the soul.
• Belief! During the dark nights of the soul’s winter season, it is easy to believe that we have been forgotten by God. The knowledge that He never leaves or forsakes us, that He is a God of mercy and steadfast love who often works behind the scenes, keeps us grounded and believing that the Spring will come, in His time.
• Trust! The God who doesn’t fail to bring the leaves to life in August, will not fail to bring the fruit of flowers in April. We don’t need to wonder ‘if;’ we can trust Him for ‘when.’
• Peace! Fear and anxiety are enemies of the soul that longs to believe, hope and trust in the God who both set the stars in place and intimately knows the need and desire of individual hearts. He is faithful, He is able, and He can be trusted. When we know Him as He truly is, we can experience the “peace that makes no sense at all.”

The discipline of waiting for April to arrive may be hardest of all. However, I don’t want to rush from August to April. There are many God-gifts to be received between now and then. I don’t want to miss any of them.

Asking The Three Questions

Who is God?

The grand Creator who takes the time to bring all things to fruition.

Who am I?

Watching and waiting.

How am I living?

Celebrating the leaves; waiting for the fruit.

©2009 Vine, Vision & Voice
Nancy R. Buschart