Revealing our potential
If you know me, even just a little, you likely recall that I’m an outdoor girl. I enjoy being immersed in nature as much as possible. Walking in God’s creation gifts me with exercise and stress relief. Working in my yard helps bring forth God’s lovely creation in all its glory (besides being great therapy for me). One of God’s most glorious creations is–flowers!
You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 128:2
Now I don’t “eat” my peonies, but they are a wondrous “feast” for my senses.
- Their beauty is a glorious display of God’s magnificence.
- Their smell is gratifying and soothing.
- Watching their growth process from a tiny, humble green sprout in the early spring to an enormous blossom in May is a spiritual journey.
I continue to be amazed at the lessons God teaches me when I’m out in His marvelous creation.
Peonies are a perennial so I am blessed with their beauty every year. As they first emerge in spring, tiny sprouts struggle to push baby green leaves from winter’s earth. With water and sunshine (and help from me to remove the constant onslaught of weeds), these trumpeters of spring grow into a healthy and hardy, but ordinary looking green plant. Little buds appear, initially smaller than a quarter. But within that tiny bud is the potential for amazing beauty.
The Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers. Deuteronomy 30:9
When I think of the peony’s humble beginning, the amazing potential within that tiny little bud, and the flower’s determination to fulfill its destiny of beauty, I imagine God saying at our creation:
“You are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made,’ my child. As I shape you and create you with my own hands, I am filling you with the potential to be an amazing human being. If you walk with me on the journey, I will nurture you and grow you into your fullest potential.”
We are an amazing and awesome creation of God.
What beautiful mystery is still locked within us–waiting to achieve its fullest potential as a child of God?
Like the peony, we may be sort of ordinary looking on the outside, but then…
What will happen if we release the beauty inside of us, gifted to us by God, into the world? What if we spread that inner beauty–love and joy–to all those around us?
- It is never too late to spread kindness and love.
- Every day is a good day to share a smile.
- If we look for ways we can help others, we will find them.
- If we pray for God to show us how to release our fullest potential in service to Him, He will help us.
As Paul the Apostle reminds us, don’t give up–keep going in service to our Lord:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one think I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Peonies caught my attention as I have two peony bushes that are beautiful. I loved reading this post at the start of my day as you relate flowers to daily living. I do not have a green thumb which makes anything I plant that eventually blooms all the more spectacular for me. The same is true with simple gestures- they too can become spectacular. Thank you for blessing me at sunrise!
Thank you, Marilyn, for returning the blessings. I love mornings–the day is so fresh, like a gift we’re just waiting to unwrap and enjoy. I agree, my friend, that simple gestures can expand into rich blessings, both for the giver and the recipient. Wishing you a blessed week
Another wonderful post Ms. Katherine. Isn’t it funny my friend; you teachers can never stop teaching. 🙂 A word I’ve long disliked is “potential.” I always felt negative feelings about it as it conjures up images of an unattainable goal or failure. “He has lots of potential he’ll never realize.” “He had the potential to be great, but he let this or that prevent him from achieving it.” Your words today show me that failure only happens when we quit trying. Thank you for your encouraging words sweet lady; and enjoy getting out there and surrounding yourself in God’s natural beauty as much as you can.
I understand exactly what you mean, J.D. So often we lament the lost potential, and lay blame upon the individual for not following through to achieve what we believe they can. but that’s where we come in. Are we being a good role models? Do we mentor our young folks and help them set realistic goals that progress in achievable steps? Are we an encourager? Most importantly, do we pray for them? Thank you for pointing out this vital aspect for helping others on their journey of life.
Katherine, I, too, learn so much from the created world that only proves to me of our wonderous Creator. I manage as much of my property as I can for blooms. The perennial ones are the best because they take less work on my part. Most if me blooms are for my bees. However, I do grow some that the bees are interested in. Peonies are one of those plants.
I knew someone that would spray the ants every year that got on theirs. They complained about not getting great blooms. I shared with them that they ants actually help to open the blooms and are a symbiotic organism for the peony.
God works that way many times, He confounds us with how everything is fitly connected. Thanks for your insight!
Thank you for visiting my blog, Ben, and for sharing your thoughts. I always complained about the ants in my peonies, too, because I liked to pick a few and bring them inside and they were covered with ants (that made themselves at home in my house). Ants haven’t been a problem in recent years, although we don’t spray. I enjoy hearing about your bees. They are so important to sustaining God’s creation. Thank you for nourishing and caring for our Earth.
The image of the transforming peonies is deeply impactful! It’s easy to get stuck, mentally and emotionally, in the place of the humble beginning – not all that lovely – but God sees what we are becoming and will eventually become as we trust the waters and sunshine of his hand.
It’s encouraging to remember he is creating within each of us “trumpeters of spring” What great news we have to share in every stage of blossoming! Great post, Katherine.
Thanks for reminding us that we are also “trumpeters of spring.” Spring reminds me of new life, beauty, and God’s plan–of renewal and salvation. We have a part in leading others to Christ, to help them become those “trumpeters of spring.” Thank you, Mary, for sharing your insight.
Such a wonderful reminder of the wonder and beauty within God’s creation. Amazing to think that just as the plants meet their potential in creation, so can we as we give our lives to the Creator.
I’m grateful you stopped by my blog, Dawn. Thanks for sharing your wisdom–reminding us that giving our lives to God is essential for us to reach the potential He has planned for us. Wishing you blessings.
What a beautiful post, Katherine! And beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing this.
I know you love flowers as much as I do, Katy. Thanks for your encouragement. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Your beautiful post about peonies remind me of something my mother used to say: “Pretty is as pretty does.” You provide simple and realistic examples of how we can release our inner beauty.
My mother would say things like your mother shared with you. As a teenager, I chafed under her calm and gentle wisdom. Now that I’m older, I’m blessed to be more like her, although I’m far from matching her gentle spirit. I’m still praying for that. Thank you, Candyce.
The peony buds are beautiful pictures of us starting out as a little bud and bursting to beauty to reach our full potential in the Holy Spirit.
Peonies are so lovely, but start with such humble beginnings. I like to think that there is still hope for me to blossom! Wishing you blessings, my friend.
My peonies are still buds. They face north during a busy time of year. Sometimes I forget to look.
This year, I’m waiting for them.
Great post! God bless!
I hope your peonies will be lovely, Nancy. Mine are now fading. The weather turned hot and dry two weeks ago and all my flowers have suffered from the severe heat. I am sure your peonies will be worth the wait. Just as we wait for Jesus to come–we know there is glory ahead!