“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
— Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
I woke up this morning to see a blanket of frost covering every visible surface outside the windows. It was so thick it almost looked like snow, and without a second thought, I went on about my day.
After several hours, it finally warmed up enough to walk the dogs. I grabbed my coat, clipped the leash on Mabel, and headed out the door. I’ve been thinking about my flower beds and what I want to do with them in the spring, so I walked over to see how much work they might need.
Every year after mowing season ends, I let the leaves and twigs settle into the flower beds to provide a cozy environment through the winter for some of God’s smaller creatures. Insects, pollinators, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles all benefit from the dead leaves resting on the ground.
Expecting to find bugs and damp dirt, I gently moved some of the leaves aside. What I didn’t expect was to see green—about a dozen irises already peeking through the soil beneath the leaves.
Those fallen leaves had provided protection from the deadly frost that morning. They gave the irises everything they needed to survive and grow. I carefully covered them back up, and as I walked away, I heard the Holy Spirit say:
“My people are just like the iris bulbs. You might feel like the weight of the world is collapsing down on you, suffocating you. You’re surrounded by darkness and can’t see the light. But have hope—God has planted you in fertile ground.”
Some of the trials we face may seem impossible to those who don’t know God. But those who walk with Him understand that we are often planted within our trials so we can grow into something stronger, deeper, and more beautiful.
It may look dark right now. The covering around you may feel heavy. But that darkness may have been allowed by God—not to harm you, but to protect you until the right moment.
Just as the leaves shielded the irises from the frost, your current situation will last only until God’s timing says otherwise. And when that time comes, you will bloom—fully and brilliantly—in the warmth of His light.
Lord, Thank You for planting me 