storms

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.” Pablo Neruda

That quote is so beautiful to me. Let those words really sink into your heart… think about them. It doesn’t matter what kind of despair and hurt you may be feeling, like a flower that has been cut down and thrown away, this is not the end.

A dear friend of mine showed up at my house last night with a bouquet of sunflowers in her hand. “I thought you could use some cheer.” There was a time when my house was filled with flowers. They’re all gone now and it’s palpably empty. My friend’s delivery sparks that promise. Spring is coming. And, nothing can stop it. Nothing stops renewal, nothing stops growth, nothing stops time… no matter how many tears are dropped, no matter how many bruises are made, no matter how many flowers die… renewal is coming.

God promises us renewal.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Testing. God loves to test me. A lot. I have struggled with this my whole life. I feel like He is always testing me. Maybe it’s for a constant break in my spirit because I am that wild horse that has to be tamed by its Master. Maybe because I never seem to learn my lesson. Maybe because His promises to me are great. I still am learning. I can’t tell you how many times I have uttered, “I’m tired of the lessons, God.”

What is good. And acceptable. And perfect. Those are beautiful words. We all want something good, and acceptable, and perfect. It’s what we all strive for as human beings. We want the goods. And, when it’s not good anymore we make choices. We can run. We can stay. We can fight. We can give up. I’ve done it all. The only thing that renews us and pushes us to grow is to persevere, to be tested, to trust that the hardship can renew us for the better. Whether we endure alone or together. We are not promised easy.

The world tells us a lot. Frankly, I’m really tired of what the world has told me. It’s not led me in many good directions. I want to listen to my heart. I want to listen to my intuition. I want to listen to the words of my Heavenly Father. I want to listen to the words of a handful of people I really trust that I know have my back like I have theirs. The world lies. It lies to men. It lies to women. It lies to children.

The world tells us if we just looked like a certain type of person, we would be desirable. If our breasts were bigger or we dressed a certain way, if our muscles were bigger and we played games with each other, if we weren’t socially awkward, if we were the popular kid in school… if, if, if, if. If we were all these things we would be loved and wanted. The world is the biggest bully. And, we are all privy to its lies and harassment.

Let the stretching, the questions, the confusion, the pain… let it renew you. Don’t be complacent in this world. Don’t run from the testing. Let it serve a purpose in you that makes you the best you can be.