I have a nice plant stand that unfortunately didn’t have a potted plant on it for a few weeks. By now, I’m used to seeing that empty spot, but I was having a friend visit me for a day, so I thought it would be nice and more welcoming if I filled that space again. During my trip to the grocery store that morning, I stopped at the outside display of plants and flowers, certain I could quickly find something suitable on my way inside. It didn’t need to be anything special, just something that would last a short time. I was a little saddened at my choices. Row after row of the plants and flowers looked worn out. They had been sprayed with water from the hose just enough to keep them alive, though many of their branches, blooms, and vines were dry. It was clear to me that these had been new arrivals just a few months ago, and now that planting season was mostly over, they were ‘leftovers.’ Which is why the sale price of $1.75 was more than a fair investment for the small flower I took home.
I had just enough potting soil and time to plant it, trim it, and set it in place before my guest arrived. I was pretty pleased overall. It had a handful of pretty blooms still hanging on, so it was going to meet my expectation of lasting a short time. Over the next several days, I found myself checking on it, making sure it wasn’t too dry, and well, taking a little extra time to care for it. And in those several days, the number of blooms tripled. I realize this is nothing very special and is quite ordinary, but I think that is what struck me. In its prior weakened condition, I didn’t expect it to last very long much less grow, continue to bloom, and become stronger. It was an unexpected grace and caused me to take notice. A silly small inexpensive flower has something to show me? Maybe. It at least got me thinking. Typically, I use extra thought and energy to focus on a specific goal, so there are times I overlook the ‘good’ in what’s simply in front of me.
The scene of the Lord showing up in a quiet, simple, unexpected way came to mind, so I reread this passage: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
I share this reflection with you because I was grateful to be reminded that God is most certainly in the small moments that come our way. That even though we do need to give some situations additional focus and energy, we can also encounter Him simply in what is right front of us. Let us pray that we do not overlook these special encounters and ‘ordinary’ unexpected graces.
Journeying to Grace 