Thursday, March 18, 2021

Imperfect Timing


Some would say, "You are a day late. St. Pat's Day was the 17th."

Yes, that is like telling Christmas jokes in July.

TCM featured Irish themed movies yesterday, not likely today. 

God's timing is perfect. Everything in Creation would collapse if that were not so. I see the plants lining up for their turn in the garden. If I planted enough bulbs, they would be in bloom constantly. They stay underneath the surface and suddenly (from our perspective) pop up to show their colors. Daffodils can be timed for early, middle, and late blooming. 

I have purple tulips coming up soon. Crown Imperial already bloomed, but its cousin, Guinea Hen, will appear shortly. You have not heard of Guinea Hen? Bad marketing. Crown Imperial is not that different in looks and commands a better price.

When I was digging yesterday, I smelled garlic. That is always a good bulb for the garden, said to make roses more fragrant and healthier besides. But call them Alium and they are flowers, blooming late in white and purple. 

For showing off, Aliums can be purchased as smaller bulbs, medium bulbs, and scary globes with sturdy stalks. I photographed a young church member with the largest Alium in New Ulm. She looked like it was a dangerous beast, because the complex  purple flower was level with her face.

Every Old Testament reference to Christ is an example of timing. We do not see it, apart from faith in Christ, and yet it makes sense of His public ministry. The shepherd boy David became a king, and people looked for the Messiah from David's line - the Son of David.

The Son of David revealed Himself and fulfilled hundreds of references to Him, such as being born in Bethjlehem, David's village, and teaching about Himself as the Good Shepherd. John the Baptist is the voice crying in the wilderness, Isaiah 40, and Jesus is the Shepherd feeding His flock, later in Isaiah 40.

Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!*

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
*The divinity of the Son of David, the promised Messiah.

 "Mom, these flowers smell like garlic!"