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Jesus’ Flower Message
Many days during the spring and summer of 2009 my heart was sorrowful as I mourned the loss of a brother and sister-in-law. Mid February they and fellow passengers had disappeared in the Venezuelan jungle when the mission airplane my brother Bob Norton piloted went down. Weeks of searching turned into months as summer lengthened toward autumn and still nothing was found.
My heart was often heavy with grief and lack of answers. I could not understand how any good could come from such a tragic loss. The indigenous people served by the airplane now had no one to come for their sick and wounded. My tears were for their loss as well as my own.
One morning as I was watering the ivy we grow in our greenhouses I noticed my special azalea plant still had blooms. As I gazed at the red flowers I recalled that the first ones had appeared in February and it had been blooming ever since. Usually my bush bloomed two times a year but never continually. Jesus whispered, “These blossoms are from Me. They are to remind you of life. In this season when you mourn for your brother these azalea blooms are my gift to you.”
In this sinful world tragedies occur. Death rips loved ones from us. Sorrow is our lot. We have more questions than answers. There is silence and darkness. However, I can testify that in the midst of suffering and pain God is there. During my difficult experience I have clung to His promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” I have cried out to my heavenly Father and He has whispered messages of love and comfort to my aching heart.
Today in February 2010 I marvel at the miracle of constant blooms for an entire year! Jesus message is clear. “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me shall never die.”
“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 25:8
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