There’s a cool breeze blowing in western NC this morning. The sun is shining and it’s not yet the predicted 90 degrees–it’s an early morning 75 degrees. Well, I made my coffee and looked out the window and saw this beautiful little white morning glory and it just gave me a glimmer of hope.

I’ve had this morning glory plant (as well as some other perennials) in a big pot for years. Usually, it starts blooming in early July. But this year, well, it’s been a tough year for the morning glory.  Ants got in the pot and did some damage. It’s been hot, hot, hot and the keeper of the pot (moi), hasn’t been so great at watering the soil. The vine has been reaching up the iron trellis, but there hasn’t been one bloom yet this season…not until this morning. ❤  I know, because I’ve been watching for it…

Funny how right now I appreciate this one little bloom more than I appreciate the countless blooms of morning glories I see on the edge of the road every morning on the way to work. Why? Because it’s a picture of resilience…that ability to withstand difficult environments and circumstances and not just overcome, but bloom. Some of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met have ‘bloomed’ and shined after going through the darkest of seasons. Hope doesn’t disappoint. That’s what the Bible says…and that’s what I’ve seen over and over again in my life.  I’m thinking the difficult seasons help to heighten our ability to not just see, but to look for, to seek,  the visuals of hope all around us–even when they come in the form of little white morning glories on the deck.

I don’t know what kind of season you’re going through right now.  Hopefully you haven’t had a tough season like this morning glory. But if things are a bit rough or uncertain, well I encourage you to pray and ask God to encourage your heart.  He might bring someone, or you might hear a song, or you might get a text or phone call. But I’m amazed at the ways He can encourage us when we have the eyes to seek Him. He answers prayer, and He loves us. He is with us.  And He uses all sorts of ways to show encourage our hearts. He might even use a beautiful white morning glory on a spindly vine to remind you of His love and faithfulness.  ❤   Happy Not-so-Silent Sunday!

Blessings ~

Heather

It says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”   Romans 5:5