by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
Do you see my Spider Lilies growing out of and around the MESS? I love watching them grow during the fall each year. However, this year, I found myself feeling a little frustrated. All summer long, our landscaper didn’t weed or clean up around the tree on the hill. I wanted to wait until the grass went to seed in late fall before asking him to handle the vines, brambles, and weeds.
Last week, I noticed the Spider Lilies beginning to crack through the soil and shoot up. In the past few days, they have grown taller than the MESS that had been covering them all this time.
Yesterday, I realized something: in previous years, these pretty volunteer lilies, which only bloom in the fall, would quickly die in that spot because they received too much sun exposure. Most years, their stems drooped, and their blooms fell early. However, this year, the weeds provided shade and protection. The lilies thrived, grew taller, and even outlived their usual lifespan. This morning, I found myself feeling grateful that the landscaper never weeded or cut that spot on the hill.
Watching them grow always brings me comfort because it was my daddy who seeded those very Spider Lilies so many years ago. These red blooms remind me of him.
We are just like those Spider Lilies. We grow best when we allow ourselves to be nurtured by the covering offered by our Heavenly Father. We are His seeds, planted by Him, and He offers us covering through His Son and the Holy Spirit. Let’s reflect on what the Bible says about God’s covering for us.
Psalm 91:1-4 (NIV)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
This passage in Psalm 91 beautifully describes God’s covering as a place of refuge and protection for those who trust in Him. Sometimes, I ask myself, “How do I dwell in the shelter of the Almighty?” Spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer, building your relationship with Him. He is looking for people who are after His own heart!
Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
This scripture highlights God’s constant, watchful care over every aspect of our lives.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
This verse emphasizes God’s faithfulness in guarding and protecting His people from harm.
Reflection:
Just as the Spider Lilies thrived under the unexpected covering of weeds, we too flourish when we allow ourselves to rest in the shelter of God’s protection. The lilies grew tall and strong, not in spite of the mess, but because of it. Likewise, our greatest growth often happens when we allow God’s covering to shield us, even when life feels tangled and chaotic.
Looking back at the weeds that frustrated me in the summer, I now see that they were part of God’s plan for the lilies’ survival. In the same way, God uses what we see as obstacles or messes in our lives to provide for us and help us grow. His protection may not always come in the form we expect, but His covering is always perfect, ensuring that we thrive and outlast the challenges we face.
The Aging English Major 