I’m no gardener, but this past October I planted tulip bulbs in the ground and shared more from the batch with some dear friends. As winter approached, I bought amaryllis bulbs, planted two in pots, and gave away still more. I wasn’t looking for a new hobby, and I don’t revel working in the dirt.
I planted because I needed to believe that something as ugly and dry as a bulb could surprise me by sprouting, growing, and blooming. I needed the possibility of the picture of resurrection, and I needed witnesses to walk along with me in it.
Hope is fragile, and it can be elusive. As my kids grow into their late teens, and as I seek vocation and new meaning from life, I find so much unknown, and it scares me. We are each of us walking winding roads these days, with a mixture of joys and lessons-still-to learn. It’s hard to see where these roads might lead, and trust has never been my strongest suit. It was so much easier when the kids were younger and I could choose everything for them, when the world was as small as their elementary school and soccer fields. It’s different now, and so are they, and so am I.
Now, when the world feels utterly unpredictable, I need to hold hope in my hands.
My friends and I agreed to plant the bulbs, dry and dead-looking as they were, and to encourage each other through the winter and spring. There’s so much that happens just under the surface that you can’t see, after all. And just because you can’t see what’s happening doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
So we’ll wait and we’ll watch. We’ll see the amaryllis bulbs poke through first, in the warmth of our homes. They’ll bloom red and joyful in our kitchens as the sunlight streams through the windows.
But it’s the tulip bulbs outside that will occupy my mind mostly, through a cold and snowy New England winter. The little bulbs are already working hard, out of my sight and without my help, using what’s been inside them all along to burst forth into something amazing. By the time we see the evidence of their green shoots, so much of the work will have been done already, without me.
I planted, but God will make them grow.
It takes a great force of faith to envision spring in the midst of winter, to imagine a shoot coming through the cold, dark earth, to know it’s been in process all along. This is the way God is calling me to operate in my life today, to believe even when it’s hard, even if I can’t always see.
He is making something beautiful just outside my reach. In this winter of my life, He is turning my thoughts to spring.
Leave a Comment
Kim B Smith says
What a beautiful analogy of life and God. Living in faith, believing in something that we cannot touch and control. Just plant and turn it over to God.
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you so much, your kind words are much appreciated!
Debbie M. says
Such an inspirational analogy on faith and preparation for new growth and not visually able to see the transformation growing while under cover or temporarily hidden. Very heartwarming in the midst of our Missouri bitter COLD winter. Blessings of faith and growth to all.
Nancy says
So beautiful! Thank you for this. I’m further down the Jouney of Life than you. My children have children. However, my husband & I feel similar emotions. We long for the past experiences we had cherished in our former “church family”. We had been members of the community for over 30 years. Although we moved to another town, for two years we traveled back on Sundays to remain a part of those precious members. Eventually we moved our church membership closer to our new home, and now feel “shelved”. We long for the shoots of new growth. Thank you from my heart.
Kerry Campbell says
Nancy, thank you for your kindness. I am believing that good things are on the way for both of us in this new year!
Linda says
Just loved this! Thank you!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Linda!
Beth Williams says
Kerry,
Life is hard & unpredictable at times. Only God knows the paths & plans He has for us. We must hold onto hope. The last four or so years were unpredictable for me. My aging dad was having multiple health issues. I never knew when the phone would ring with a problem. It came to a point he had to be hospitalized. During that time I held out hope & cried out to God to “fix it”. I asked for God to just take him if this is how life will be for him. God had other plans. He healed him & allowed him 14 1/2 more good months. I got to show him the lake & go on walks with him. God graciously took him home March 2017. I’m thankful for the time we had. Praise God for giving me hope during that time.
Blessings 🙂
Kerry Campbell says
Beth, it’s so true that God’s ways are above our ways, and it’s so good to know that His plans for us are always for our benefit, even when we can’t see how. I have cried out to God to “fix it” more times than I can count, but I’m (slowly) learning that goodness is always on the way, sometimes in a fashion we could not expect. I am so glad to hear of the time you got to enjoy with your Dad, what a blessing. All the best to you in 2018!
Brenda says
Oh, Kerry…what calming words this morning. — So true that parenting is more of a faith-walk as our children age. Two of mine are adults and my baby will be 16 in a couple of months. Several years back, when my oldest started driving, I was feeling the angst of not being able to control His safety, and the Lord reminded me that — He was the one who was keeping Him safe all along, not me. He let me work alongside Him, but He’s been the one safeguarding my babies all along. Was such a humbling and peaceful reassurance for me. — Love your bulb analogy. Prayers for you, in this “winter of (your) life.” ((hug))
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Brenda! I’m not sure there’s anything that brings us to a real experience of faith more than having older kids! Thank God He has His Hands on them, and that He loves them even more than we do. Thank you for the prayers, and peace to you!
Michele Morin says
There’s always so much more going on beneath the surface than we can see. Encouraging words, Kerry, and so good to hear from a fellow New Englander!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you so much, Michele! Hope you got to experience some of this crazy warm weather we got in the last couple of days!
Pauline says
Very beautiful!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, my friend!
Marymargaret says
Very cool way to put it. I think a lot of times God is working behind the scenes when we don’t think He is working.
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Marymargaret, I am counting on it! Peace to you!
Barbara Rees says
Thank you Kerry You are a breath of spring Thank you for your thoughtful words
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Barbara, thanks for reading!
Gwen Bredow says
Thank you for sharing it’s timeliness it’s been a very hard week yet back in the fall; knew this was going to be very hard winter and I did that; I went and planting bulbs all along the entrance of the house in places where I can see out the window and I am waiting in faith for winter to pass … as a season and in my life.
Kerry Campbell says
Gwen, how lovely! Prayers for your beauty-filled spring!
Joanna says
Wonderful analogy! Definitely a bookmark I’ll return to read many times!!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Joanna! <3
Pearl Allard says
Kerry, your message is hope for this mom. My two children are still elementary school age but I’m told by those with older children: “little people — little problems, big people — big problems.” I’m hoping to turn that into, “little kids — little faith, big kids — big faith” as I have to put into practice exactly what you’re talking about. I loved how you said, “And just because you can’t see what’s happening doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” Praise God for always being at work for us.
Kerry Campbell says
Yes, Pearl, thanks be to God! Enjoy your little ones, you are planting in them every single day!
Heather L. Mattern says
I love this reassuring reminder of what gorgeous things God is always working on under the cold surface, out of our view. I’m inspired by your words to keep the faith and to put some bulbs in my kitchen. I have many planted outside, but I love the idea of having them bloom inside as a reminder of His beauty to come. Thanks, Heather
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Heather, enjoy the beauty around you!
Cynthia says
This is the most clear message God has sent me in some time. Thank you for being the messenger – and with the most eloquent prose. Thank you for following the impulse to write this. It’s ordained. His grace to you!
Kerry Campbell says
Cynthia, thank you for your kindness and encouragement, it is much appreciated! Grace and peace to you!
Crystal says
My husband ’emergency’ flew to California last Wednesday to see his DYING ATHEIST BROTHER. His brother is not an angry man. On the contrary, he seems very pleasant and kind. He is on oxygen 24/7 now and in stage 4 cancer that began as bladder cancer. Please pray for ‘FAST BLOOMING ETERNAL BULBS’ in this case, and that God will use my husband to share the gospel in a way that will penetrate Dave’s heart and lead to SALVATION.
Thank you for allowing me to ask here.
As your post so beautifully puts it, there is sooooo much going on underneath!!!
And although things may ‘look’ dead or atheist – underneath, things are/can be churning.
Pray, pray for salvation, for Dave, for your loved ones, for your friends, for the person you pass through the Walmart door.
For it is not His will that ANY should perish!
Debra says
Praying for you !
Crystal says
Thank you, Debra!
Little Mary says
I’m praying for Dave’s salvation and wisdom for your husband too!!! I’m lacking the words to say in such a situation…except that if God cares about sparrows, does He not care MUCH MORE about the unique people He made even if they ignore and rebel against Him?
Dear Lord! We feel this is an emergency, but You know exactly how long Dave’s life will yet be. Please do your work in his heart, so he will realize the consequences it has if he keeps rejecting You, before it is too late!!!
Sending my love to you, Crystal, and praying for this situation that must not be easy for you either!
Mary
Crystal says
Mary ~
Thank you, for your beautiful prayer – and to it I say in heart agreement Amen!
Also, I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. God bless you for taking the
time to respond!
– Crystal
Kerry Campbell says
Prayers for Dave, for you, and for your husband, that God make His presence and His love so known and so apparent that it cannot possibly be missed. Peace to you, Crystal!
Crystal says
In the name above ALL names, Jesus – Amen, amen, amen.
Thank you, Kerry, for your beautiful post, that hit in such an unexpected way! – allowing me to ask for prayer and joining with other sisters in Christ to seek the ‘blooming’ of salvation!
– Crystal
Kerry Campbell says
Grace and peace be with you all today. God, let us see blooming! Be glorified in it, Amen!
Debra says
Thank you Kerry for your sharing – I love the analogy – as I ponder the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, I anticipate with great delight the breaking open of the soil as the bulb with roots firmly planted below, bursts forth reaching for the nourishing rays of light – savouring the moment – basking in God’s glory – hope springs eternal.
Kerry Campbell says
How lovely, Debra, thank you for your beautiful words! I am anticipating, too.
Jan says
Kerry, what a wonderful testament to trusting God with whatever He has planned.
I love amaryllis bulbs to remind us of the promise of spring; however, can you let your bulbs become more than that? Can you let them become your “standing stones” like from the Old Testament scriptures here tall stones would be erected for all to see what God had done in that person or groups life?
When the flowers die back, do NOT cut the entire plant back, just the flower stalk (pruning out the withered). Leave the leaves and put the pots outside for the summer. Water as you would a regular plan (faithfulness to God’s plan). In the fall bring in your now lush plant and it will flower again and again. Last winter I had 16 flowers off my “dead” bulbs. It reminds me of God’s unending promise to provide.
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Jan! I am no gardener, so I truly appreciate the practical tips and their spiritual applications. I love a metaphor, especially one I can see. Peace to you!
Kerry Campbell says
Hi Jan,
I had one amaryllis plant that grew leaves late, and never flowered. I would LOVE to see this one flower, and I wonder if you could advise me. Should I put it out this summer and bring it back in for the fall? Should I give it some time in the dark? Any advice is appreciated, thank you!
Kerry
Elizabeth says
Sitting in my chair with my fur baby Bob at my side, I enjoy scripture and coffee with my BEST friend each and every morning. It’s dark outside but I know the sun will rise and the day will begin. In winter the leaves are gone and the earth is void of color. However, I know that spring will come again and nature will come alive. I BELIEVE and in my BELIEF is the knowing that I have HOPE not just for springtime but for help thru the difficulties and disappointments in life that will come into all our lives. God is always watching and working ❤️
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Elizabeth, so beautiful.
Charlene Lovett says
Thank you, Kerry. I needed to read what you wrote today, because I am at a place where I feel that hope is elusive. Proverbs says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. I have hoped for 52 years, and I am now heartsick. Then I read where you said ‘just because you can’t see what’s happening doesn’t mean it isn’t happening’. That alone has given me hope again, fragile though it may be.
Many blessings…
Kerry Campbell says
Blessings, peace, and grace to you, Charlene. May you feel how abundantly and personally you are loved today!
Molly says
Thank you from this transplanted Iowan!
I have lived in and loved Arizona for 34 years and because of my health I don’t get back to Iowa anymore but I’ve had a photo framed and hanging on the wall here by my desk where I can just move my head a tad and see it. The photographer was a grand old gentleman and this photo is a scene of stately pine trees heavily covered with snow. I captioned it with this quote from a devotional years ago.
“In the heart of winter is the hope of spring.”
You have written it all so beautifully. Thank you and please keep writing.
Kerry Campbell says
Molly, thank you for your kind and encouraging words, they are much appreciated! Blessings to you!
Janet says
Beautiful-thank you for sharing your heart.❤️
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Janet! <3
HisDaughter says
Thank you for the encouragement this brutally cold winter. This is so true and a very good metaphor for life.
Kerry Campbell says
Thanks very much for reading and commenting!
Carol L. Gonzalez says
Last spring I purchased two Hyacinth flowers in glass jars from a local supermarket. I definitely enjoyed the blooms but never got around to planting the bulbs in the fall.
Well, a few weeks ago I noticed that one bulb…and then the other were growing again in their glass jars! I am already starting to see flowers on one.
We have a bunch of mini daffodil plants outside and because we are having unusual weather-very cold and then some spring like days, some of those plants have also started to shoot up already.
He is faithful!
Kerry Campbell says
He is, Carol, thanks be to God! I love daffodils, they always bring a smile to my face!
Cory-Lynn Hatton says
Perfect timing, just what I needed to here. Wrestling with what comes next as another child just flew the nest. Thank you for sharing.
Kerry Campbell says
Cory-Lynn, I hear you. God has a great plan for your life – He loves you even more than you love those kiddos. Blessings on them and you!
Sarah Geringer says
Hi Kerry! I am a gardener, and I marvel in God’s creation year-round. I agree that it’s hard to see the growth in a dark and cold season, but God is still working behind the scenes. Wishing for spring today along with you!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Sarah! <3
Rebecca says
What a perfect comparison of the bulbs to something dead and ugly in our lives! I want to plant bulbs!!! Thank you for sharing.
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Rebecca, I hope you do!
erin says
What a beautiful metaphor of God’s love!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Erin! <3
Rebecca Jones says
Your bulb story reminds me of something I read last week, that God doesn’t need our help, to do anything. But we sure need His. I hope your garden blooms brightly.
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, Rebecca, and the very same to you!
Holly @ beejoyful says
Beautifully inspiring.
Kerry Campbell says
Thanks very much!
Andrea says
What a beautiful and inspiring way to share the journey of faith and hope!
Kerry Campbell says
Thank you, trying to walk it out on these cold days!
Dale says
Hi Kerry,
Beautifully inspiring words from you, I hope these cold days soon come to end as season of winter go through,
I live in the Bahamas where the weather is always warm, so I would love to share a little of your cold weather. Please pray for my older brother who needs to understand that God can give us all peace, I am trying so hard to get him out to our Sunday worship, so he can feel God peace and understand that God is with him. Please pray for him. thanks
Kerry Campbell says
Dale, thank you for your kind words and for your prayers. I am placing my hope in God that as our weather turns to spring, the situations in my life that need resolution will finally break through to the glory of God. My prayer for your brother is that the peace of God confronts him in such a way that he cannot ignore or avoid it, that he will turn not to the right or left, but look on the face of Jesus who is looking on him in indescribable love. My prayer for you is the same prayer I pray for myself, that we can trust Him in the dark and be shown how He works in glorious light, and soon, soon, soon. Amen!
dale says
Kerry, Thank you so much, I am praying for you and all of (in)courage members, family and friends. Kerry please help me to pray for my two sons that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and savior.Have a wonderful day my sis.
Kerry Campbell says
Amen!
Deb Bellevue says
You see truth and beauty in what most of us just take for granted. You are truly gifted!!!!
Kerry Campbell says
You are a true blessing. Thank you!