The drought was so bad that I wondered if I could do more than keep the plants alive this year. We did not have much rain in the spring, and that was followed by heat, humidity, and almost no precipitation at all.
I did a survey of the front yard and saw that most of the Joe Pye was ready to dry up, the same plant that came back after being cut down by the weed-eater. Roses were ready to die, even with fairly regular watering. We had a chance to put down some mulch, and I watered the entire front yard, the rose and butterfly gardens.
Next came the rain, six inches over three or four days. That was welcome, but not much began to happen. Then the effects of mulching, watering, pruning, and the rain revealed itself. The second bloom of the Crepe Myrtle has become. New and old roses began to bloom. The senior Joe Pye looked like O'Hare during rush hour, every large bloom a mass of insects feeding and hovering.
At various times we reach that state where we think, as the country music song says, "I've been down so long, everything looks like up." And even the best news does not seem to change the damage of the past. But that is usually a signal that everything is changing for the best.
If we believe in Creation - and the mercy, love, and peace promised in John's Gospel - then the dark times are just a slow prelude before new realities begin. Our congregation prays for many people facing an array of difficulties, knowing that God will see them through. Afflictions and the cross come to each believer and God shows us that He can turn the greatest evil into the greatest good, as He did with the crucifixion of Christ, when all powers of darkness seemed to be winning and yet were defeated by the cross the empty grave.
Isaiah 65 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.
24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Ephesians 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
