“Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become restless and disturbed within me?
Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.”
(Psalm 42:5 AMP)
I have noticed lately a LOT of roadkill skunks. I’m not sure why this is – perhaps they are in mating season and not so careful when crossing the road – but I AM sure that it is stinky. I don’t remember another time in which there was this much skunk smell around. I was wondering what it might mean (aside from that skunks aren’t good at crossing streets) and had a strange thought: what if the skunk smell was a physical representation of all the awful evil in the world right now?
And then last week I noticed this:
This little African violet plant had two lovely purple flowers on it. I don’t know how they got there; my track record with African violets is abysmal. My grandmother had lovely houseplants, including violets, but so far I have not been able to keep any violets alive very long, much less actually have them create their own flowers. So, this is an unexpected and beautiful gift. Not one flower, but two!
And, similar to the skunk smells, I wonder if it is a subtle message – not of evil, but of hope. In a week where it seemed that our finances, health, and vehicles were spiritually attacked, here was a little promise that God is still present. In a season where the natural world’s glory of summer is fading and dying, here’s a bit of life. In a society/culture/world where evil seems to be winning, here’s a reminder that God is still creating goodness and beauty.
God,
Today we come to you grateful that you preserve your faithful children in the midst of what seems to be evil and darkness, death and despair, around us. We thank you for the beautiful things of each day – colorful leaves, pets that loves us, beautiful flowers, unexpected pleasant surprises, our daily bread, and so much more. When we struggle with our own lives or the world we live in, give us more courage and strengthen our hearts. Help us to hope in you, God, and wait patiently and expectantly for you. We ask in Christ’s name, Amen.
“Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints!
For the Lord preserves the faithful,
And fully repays the proud person.
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:23-24 NKJV)