Blooming in Perfect Time!

Kierstie Renninger

Spring is such a beautiful illustration of change and growth. This past winter was particularly difficult on much of my garden … partially my own doing, partially acts of nature. By all means, my thumbs are far from green, but I love to learn and I’m giving it my best effort. In the Fall, motherhood was all-consuming: finding our “new normal” and day-to-day routines of life with our newest addition took a delicate balance. Whatever it was that needed to 

get done was more often won-over by the gummy smile and two big, brown eyes that captivated my heart, attention, and time. My time and attention were focused exactly where they needed to be. Needless to say, the garden was quite neglected, and I didn’t get to prune my roses, tend to the other plants, or rake the leaves and pine needles before the early snow flew. I didn’t think much of it over the winter. You know: out of sight, out of mind.

Then, Spring rolled around. I was looking out our kitchen window at my rose garden, wondering when I would begin to see the revival of our roses. Much to my disappointment, as the yard began to green and buds appeared on some of our other plants, there was still nothing from the roses. Tiny leaves began to form on my hydrangea. One of our bigger trees began to pop with little white flowers. Finally, about a week ago, I began to see the change and growth on some of my roses. I wasn’t feeling much patience for my roses, and I almost pulled them out. They began to grow on a timing all their own. I thought to myself, “Isn’t it funny how we place expectations on things that we truly have little control over?”

I often think our lives are much the same. While I may hold expectations for how or when I think our lives should be blooming, I’ve found much comfort and reassurance to realize that I’m a small piece of something bigger. God has a plan for my life, greater than the scope of what I can see or even understand, and on timing I don’t get to choose. I just have to say, “Yes, God,” with an open mind and an open heart. When I think about seasons where I’ve experienced tangible growth, it’s been after seasons of change and challenges. I hope that whatever season you find yourself in, you give yourself grace and patience and lean into God’s plan, because you will grow and bloom in His perfect time!

It’s graduation season, and I’ve been thinking a lot about that time in my own life, and how it was one of those seasons full of change and growth. It’s been a joy to walk with our seniors as they navigate this challenging and exciting season. I hope you will join us this weekend as we hear reflections from three seniors and that you’ll be encouraged and inspired by their testimonies. Let’s pour out our Love1st mission on our students, especially those about to begin new adventures! See you Sunday! 

In His Name, Kierstie