“Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone – as though have never been here.”
(Psalm 103:15-16 NLT)
The wildflowers in Iowa have been nothing short of epic this year. We’ve lived here the past four years, but I also grew up in Iowa; kindergarten to high school graduation and I can’t recall a summer so filled with color. The lavender phlox came early and stayed through all the warm months. The goldenrod filled in, creating a symphony of purple and yellow in every pasture. Not to be left out, the black-eyed susans assembled and stood unblinking through July, August and September. It’s as though all of Iowa sent sympathy flowers, the itty bitty card reading “We’re sad to see you go.”
As the days have shortened, my evening walks have lengthened. It’s my meager attempt to fill my soul with enough Iowa sunsets to sustain me till we meet again. Last night was one of those walks, only my heart was extra heavy over the letting go and grabbing ahold that needs to happen in the coming weeks. Dark sunglasses disguised leaking eyes as I made my way out of town on foot, pouring my troubles out to my Savior, my friend.
When I’d sufficiently emptied myself, I spotted this plant or weed or flower, all dependent upon one’s perspective. Clearly past its prime; dry at the ends but green at the base, with just a little left of itself to give. The feather light seeds blew in the wind, even as I watched. Bits of the gift drifted way in the clear cold sunshine.
The Lord comforted me in that moment. Like the weed-flower, we bloom for a season. We give our lives (to our spouse, our children, our church, our community) with every bit of courage and love and beauty we can possibly afford, and then when the season changes, our flower fades and we blow away with grace.
My season in Iowa is over. It was beautiful but difficult. The question begs to be asked, why? Why did the Lord lead us here? Why was it so short and so tough? And why do we have to leave already, when we’ve just put down roots? The wildflower weed witnessed to me. Some season are brief, but still, we give ourselves over completely to the life God leads us in. And when it’s over, we trust our seed to the wind, meaning we give over our need to build something lasting, something Kingdom. We give that desire to the Sovereign God who oversees it all. The key to letting go lies in the very next verse:
“But the love of the Lord remains forever…” (Psalm 103:17 NLT)
We pass through, or away, but God’s love remains. We pray that our small seeds; the worthwhile ones, made their way to good ground, but ultimately it is the Lord’s love that endures, that changes lives, communities and landscapes. We follow His leading, loving where we are planted and allowing Him to uproot us when the season changes.
O Lord, we don’t like change. It’s tough to be uprooted and replanted, whether it’s across town or across the country, it’s not our favorite. Thank You for giving us the courage to let go graciously. As we open our hand to release, we also open our hand to receive. And end is a beginning by the same right. We say goodbye to one season as we say hello to the next. The Lord gives and takes away,
blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.