This beauty has been slowly showing it’s leaves as winter is leaving our area; squeezing through and into a very crowded planter. It’s right by the front door where we live; since May. I haven’t seen this plant before. It’s been too hot and dry or too cold. But the much needed rain helped this hidden perennial take the risk to shoot forth its leaves and today, it’s first blossom.

Interesting: for months I didn’t know it was even alive. Now it’s a thriving beauty in a tight space. As I’ve been reflecting on this beginning season of Lent, I’ve been considering of what I have let go and where I need to lean in.

A measure of letting go for me is stuff.  If I have a lot of paper clutter, I am hanging on to unresolved issues of time, emotion or money. I recently started sorting through a file to give away, file away or recycle my too many cute paper products!  In the sorting I came across this reflection from several years ago…long before our big move.

What does one come to when all conversations seem to lead to argument?  No gracious benefit of the doubt, no overlooking a misspoken phrase, word or tone. When one realizes that all seems lost, does one persevere to the end, hope against hope?  Or does one take the coward’s way out and leave?

Better still and a higher road, the path of daily sacrifice of self: it matters not whether there was accuracy or right tone; do not justify oneself.

Give way sincerely without guile.

Allow the other’s interpretation to be accurate and do not defend one’s position. 

Give that to God who justifies

Keep submitting oneself to Him who judges justly.

Forgive quickly, sincerely, knowing that Truth wins in the End. One may not see it fulfilled here in this part of life eternal. but one day Truth does completely win.

Make allowances for the loved one; Give grace were none is seen. Be a peacemaker not a peace breaker Remember He keeps one’s heart in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on Him.

So Lord, I submit myself to your refinement I am far too stubborn and stiff-necked. These circumstances are meant for my growth and change.

Forgive me for resisting Your ways. They are right and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Change me.

He has in many ways and yet I am not done yet. That’s why I love this season. I am reminded of what has gone before, what still needs confession and repentance and where I may lean in and look for growth in unexpected places.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. For I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

The cyclamen (the plant in the photo above)  is often treated like a hot house flower. You might see them out for Christmas or now for Valentine’s Day. But it is truly a hardy plant. It can look like it’s dead during extreme weather, but it has learned to bloom in tight, unexpected places.

I want to lean in and cultivate beauty in the unexpected places in my life. My marriage was that place many years ago. God saw and changed me. Thankfully.

Where is that unexpected place for you?