What speaks to your soul? For me, it’s almost always the wonders of God’s creation. We travel a lot to beautiful mountains, lakes, oceans, and so on. But sometimes the wonders of creation are in my own backyard.

Early in the year 2020, we were gifted this lovely yellow rose bush from friends of ours. Isn’t it gorgeous? Well, Simply B and her husband aren’t really rose bush experts. In 2021 the plant did not green up at all. Not. At. All. Just a pitiful plant corpse, left to die. We didn’t bother digging it up as it wasn’t in the way of anything. And then, this year, 2022, check out the photo on the right. Same rose bush. Yes, same rose bush. Vining and blooming with lovely red roses.

There is certainly a spiritual correlation to this horticultural event. My husband mentions 2 Corinthians 5:17….the new creation. In Christ, the old is gone, the new is here. Several of my intelligent Facebook friends mentioned the word “grafting” in regard to the original rosebush. In other words, one rose bush has been made up of two different bushes. A less hardy species is grafted onto a stronger one. And the stronger one eventually dominates. Those who believe in Christ and place their faith in Him are surely grafted onto His strength. Rooted in Christ, and as we mature as Christians we become more like Him. “From a flawed, weak, yellow flower to one the color of the blood of Christ,” adds the hubby. I love it!

And now, I give you Exhibit B. This past May as I was casually looking over the plants in my side yard flower bed, what did I see but this lovely blooming plant. Red Hot Poker/Torch Lily. Such a gorgeous plant, but I’m telling you: I DID NOT PLANT IT!! A few years ago, like probably 5 or so years ago, I planted a Torch Lily in another part of the yard far from this area. And it did nothing. NO bloom, NO growth, just kind of sat there in the ground while I babied it along for a bit, then declared it a DNR and pulled the plug. Actually in frustration I pulled it up roots and all and just tossed it in an obscure area by the back fence. Uh, yeah. The fence you see in the picture. But…..it was dead, and five or more years had passed. I was so surprised, really dumbfounded that after all those years this long-forgotten plant grew, flourished, bloomed. How can that be? I didn’t plant it, I tossed it’s dry, dead remains and left it to rot.

You’ve heard the phrase “Bloom where you’re planted”? “Planted” indicates intention and nurture and interest and even love. But this plant? This tossed plant? Tossed aside, forgotten, unloved, rejected. That’s a different story altogether. Have you ever felt tossed aside? Well take heart, you can “Bloom where you’re tossed.” Because of Jesus, you’re never forgotten or unloved. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3. He brings new life when there was no life at all. 2 Cor 5:17, again.

And then, Exhibit C…. read on:

This morning in my devotional time the verse of the day is Matthew 6:7 “When you pray, don’t use a lot of meaningless words….” I believe conversation with God is important. And conversation involves input by both parties. So today I asked God to just speak to me, let me know He hears my prayers, speak to me.

A couple hours later I was making the bed and looked out the window into the back flower garden underneath the window. We’ve traveled a lot this year and honestly have let our flower beds just tend to themselves. They’re ugly unkempt messes for the most part. But while we were looking the other way, traveling and busy, God did this:

And…. this is how God spoke to me today. I had actually wanted to buy a hibiscus plant for this area but we ended up not buying any bedding plants this year. So God did this for me! How? There’s never been a hardy hibiscus plant anywhere in our yard, or neighbor’s yard to my knowledge. It’s simply an absolutely stunning, breathtaking gift. The colors, the texture, how does God do this?? Do you see the bee dining on this flower? How cool!!

So what did God speak to me? I’m thinking He spoke these words: “I love you, here’s the plant you wanted. You know I’m in control, don’t you? And by the way: All is well, don’t worry.”

Just a few verses below the verse of the day you’ll find these words of Jesus: ‘“This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. ….. Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? ….See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin…..What little faith you have! “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ ‘ Matthew 6:25-31

So, how does God speak to your soul? It seems like He might need to slap us up the side of the head at times. But look around….. let Him speak to you. He’s everywhere. And He can speak without saying a word.