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Apr 01, 2023 06:00am

More Faithful Than The Flowers in Spring

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My husband worked as a telephone repairman for 38 years, and his job often included searching for a “pedestal” where he could check out the incoming telephone line. Quite often, that pedestal would be out in the middle of a field, some distance from the home or business where he was actually repairing the phone.
Many times, he’d have to walk past an old abandoned homeplace to get to the pedestal and, especially in the spring, he’d often see flowers growing out in the middle of the weeds. When that happened, he’d always dig them up and bring them home.
The neat thing was that he never told me he had them — he’d just replant them in our yard so they’d surprise me the following spring. When I saw the beautiful blooms the next year, I’d know where they came from and, of course, thank him. He’d always say the same thing — “When you see those flowers, it’s me, telling you I love you.” That may not mean much to you guys, but us girls love things like that — especially coming from someone like my big, tough macho former Marine. Although he has been retired for many years, the flowers are still blooming, and they are still a reminder of his love.
Something else those “planted long ago flowers” remind me of is his faithfulness during the almost 56 years we’ve been married. I have never once worried about him cheating on me, nor has he worried about me doing that to him. Our lives have changed, of course… kids, grandkids, a great grandchild and another one on the way… but we meant what we promised as we stood before God, our friends and family in that Baptist church on April 14, 1967. My beloved has had two strokes, and he isn’t able to do a lot of the things he’d like to do anymore. But when I looked out the window just now, I saw those flowers blooming and they’re still a testimony of his love and faithfulness.
God’s faithfulness is shown to everyone every day when the sun rises and sets at the right time and without fail, and it’s also seen in so many breathtaking scenes in nature. One of my favorite hymns (Great is Thy Faithfulness) puts it beautifully: “Summer and winter and springtime and harvest; Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”
But for those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior, that faithfulness and love is shown so much more when He hears our prayers and when He walks with us through the good times and the bad times in our lives. Over and over, the Bible tells us about His love and faithfulness.
I have so many favorites, but if I had to choose just one verse about His love, it would be this one: “But God proved his own love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 CSB). He died on the cross for my sins over 2,000 years ago, but His love truly became real to me in October 1959, when I realized I was a sinner, confessed it to Him, and asked Jesus to forgive me and to save my soul. And He immediately did just that!
Although I’ve failed Him many times through the years, He has never failed me, and He never will. Which brings me to another favorite verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23 ESV).
Enjoy your spring flowers, and when you see them, let them remind you of the love and faithfulness of One who created them for you to enjoy!