Sacred Blooms: Crocuses

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome joy and whimsy.
I will pause to appreciate the beauty of spring,
as the crocus wakes from its long winter’s nap.

Fun fact: Saffron comes from a specific species of crocus. According to softschools.com, 80,000 plants are required to produce one ounce of it. Ninety percent of the world’s saffron is cultivated in Iran.

Crocuses.
Slivers of delight
poke through hard ground,
singing, Joy to the World.
Delicate yet so sturdy.
They rise when most are still napping.

Like a fairy spreading fairy dust, they sprinkle us with hope.
Hope in new beginnings.
Hope in new perspectives.
Hope in dreaming what is and what will be —
But first, letting go of what was.

Crocuses are early risers, like daisies and tulips. Tiny miracles of promise. Promising warmer weather and longer days.

The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.
Isaiah 35:1

The crocus mirrors our souls. Like their petals that open beneath a gray sky, we rise each morning to greet the day. We rise with choices before us — to carry heaviness or to welcome light.

So the next time you see a crocus, bow your head in prayer. Ask the Lord to free you from the chains that are around you. And as you say Amen, listen for its whisper: “Be free! Be joyful! Be like me!”

Light and airy.
Delicate and strong.
Full of grace.

May you notice slivers of joy all around.
May you trust that God will sustain you when you are weary.
May you bloom gently with a quiet strength — just like the crocus.

*Image Credit: “APRIL 2013 CPM Art Challenge Photo ‘Crocus’ #1304” by COLORED PENCIL magazine is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Digging Deeper with Hibiscus

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the strength of the morning,
which gives me the energy to rise and heed what I am called to do.

Hibiscuses respond to light.
When exposed to bright sunlight, they open and draw pollinators.

There is something sacred happening there— a quiet exchange between creation and Creator, a kind of internal dialogue written into the bloom itself. What do you think?

Psalms 46 says, “God is within her, she will not fall.” In this Psalm, “her” refers to God’s people — the people of faith.

This verse reminds us that God is our grounding. We may feel the heat of the day, the weight of responsibility, or the ache of uncertainty, but we do not stand alone.

Like the hibiscus, we can turn toward the light, trusting that God holds us upright.

Like a hibiscus waiting for the right moment to bloom, we wait for God’s hand to gently point the way.

We are resilient people.
We stretch toward the light,
reaching for the courage to be fully present.

God meets us where we are.
Opens our eyes.
Steadies us.

No pressure.
No expectation.
Just an invitation.
To be more Christ-like.

Hibiscus teaches us that strength unfolds slowly. Sometimes it looks like softness that stays open. Sometimes it is simply the courage to bloom again after a long winter’s rest. God meets us in these moments — not demanding perfection, but inviting us to trust the strength He places within us.

May you feel God’s strength on your journey.
May you trust that God will gently guide you where you need to go.

*“Italy-2755 – Hibiscus” by archer10 (Dennis) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.*

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Sacred Blooms: Hibiscus

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the idea of strength and softness.
I welcome the unfolding within me as I watch the hibiscus bloom after its cold winter’s nap.

Fun Fact: Hibiscus flowers typically bloom for only one day before they fall from their stem.

Hibiscus.
Crinkly yet soft.
Bursting with color.
Their trumpet-shaped blooms flutter in the wind,
swaying on slender stems,
lifting toward the light as if to give us all a hug.

Hibiscuses are mid-to-late risers. They bloom early in summer until the first frost. Tropical in nature, they grow in a wide range of shades of white, pink, red, yellow, and orange. And they attract butterflies and hummingbirds, filling gardens with beauty and delight.

God is within her, she will not fall. — Psalm 46:5

Hibiscus mirrors our souls. As we rise each morning, we are like hibiscus—soft yet strong, bold yet tender. We choose to stand in the light and move into the day with courage, trusting that God is forming resilience within us.

Hibiscus reminds us that faith is not fragile. It is rooted. It is steady. It is the quiet strength that holds us when life feels hot and heavy.

May you feel God’s strength rising gently within you.
May you breathe deeply and trust Him to give you the courage and resilience you need for each new day.

*Image Credit: “Tropical Hibiscus” by Dinesh Valke is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.*

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Digging Deeper with Roses

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the dew of the morning.
I savor the fragrance of roses made sweeter by the droplets.
I embrace being seen, known, and cherished by God.

Roses sparkle in the sunshine,
their petals soft and delicate.
A beauty that surely stands the test of time.
Fragrance lingers in the air
while layers of petals unfold
as if to embrace each one of us
with a love that grows with time.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

Life is full of twists and turns.
Lots of comings and goings.
Yet we stop.
To smell the roses.

Why?

Because the rose invites us to slow down.
To be gentle.
To be soft.
To take a break from the whirlwind of life.

Why?

To experience the everlasting love of God,
of nature,
of each other.

Like a rose, we heed the call. To slow down and listen. To pay attention to our prickly tempers. Or our prickly attitudes. Or our prickly words.

And like a rose, God wraps his petals around us. He calls us beloved. Where we are. How we are. All of it.

Roses teach us that love and honesty grow together. Their petals show us vulnerability, while their thorns remind us that boundaries are holy. They teach us that beauty is layered — formed by seasons.

Seasons of opening.
Waiting.
Shaping.
Polishing.
Tending.

There’s no pressure.
No expectation.
Just an invitation.

God’s love lingers over us — the scents of frankincense and myrrh. Leading us to the holy land. The land of milk and honey.

May you rest in abundant love.
May you trust the God who calls you beloved.
May you bloom gently, honestly, and in holiness —just like the rose.

*Image Credit: “Rose” by slgckgc is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Digging Deeper with Tiger Lilies

A Series from the Psalms

I embrace the Holy Spirit’s presence as it nudges me to grow in grace. Let the bloom of the tiger lily remind me to be bold —
to shine light where people need it most.

Tiger lilies respond to light. They stand tall, even in the wildest places. Their unexpected beauty is part of what makes them bold. There is something sacred going on. Each is stunning in color. Oranges, pinks, and yellows.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Morning greets these courageous flowers as they fill with water and unfurl their petals. “Glory to God in the highest,” they seem to say. Afternoon warms them and keeps them safe. Evening whispers to their petals, “It’s time to tuck your petals in, like tucking yourself into bed.” And when night falls, the cool air sweeps through the fields as if the angels themselves are kissing each bloom goodnight.

Like tiger lilies, we wait for angels to tuck us in each night, too. We fill ourselves with rest so we can greet each day anew. Maybe that’s why this bloom speaks so deeply to the soul.

God is shaping us. He is providing rest. He is preparing us.

There’s no pressure.
No expectation.
Just an invitation.

Tiger lilies teach us that courage grows in hidden places. It forms in the moments no one sees. Prayers in the dark. Decisions made behind closed doors. These quiet steps strengthen us little by little. Each moment is an opportunity to be brave and to grow in grace.

May you be bold like the tiger lily.
May you go where no one else dares to go.
May your faith draw you closer to God.

*Image Credit: “Orange Tiger Lily” by audreyjm529 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Sacred Blooms: Tiger Lilies

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the confidence unfolding within me
as I watch tiger lilies bloom tall and proud.

Fun fact: Tiger lilies have bold orange petals with dark speckles to deter predators. They’re resilient and often grow in places other flowers avoid.

Tiger lilies.
Wild and bold.
Blooms swaying back and forth,
as the summer breeze refreshes the soul.
Slender and tall, they lift toward the light,
as if to sprinkle love where other plants won’t grow.

Tiger lilies are early spring risers. They grow wide, and they are stubborn fellas. Their growth begins in late fall, when they store energy in dormant bulbs.

As the bulbs wake from a long winter’s nap, they get busy growing, bending toward the sun in every which way, gracing us with their vibrant presence.

Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

A tiger lily mirrors our souls. We rise each day, tall and wild, and we firmly plant our feet on the floor. They remind us to be ready to face whatever comes.

Their speckles tell a story, too. Life is full of surprises. Good and bad. And we carry each of these experiences in our hearts. They are the marks we carry. The marks make us proud. They reveal where we’ve been, what we’ve survived, and how God has shaped us along the way.

May courage rise in you each day.
May you trust the strength God is forming in you.
May you bloom boldly, bravely, and beautifully —
just like the tiger lily.

*Image Credit: “Tiger Lily” by HandsLive is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Sacred Blooms: Daisies

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the idea of resilience.
I welcome the unfolding within me as I watch daisies wake
from their cold winter’s nap.

Fun Fact: The word “daisy” comes from the Old English day’s eye, because the flower opens with the sun and closes when the light fades.

Daisies.
Simple and white.
Petals dancing in the wind,
push through thawed ground,
lifting toward the light,
as if to kiss us with the sun.

Daisies are early risers, like the tulips. They grow, thin and slender, swaying in the breeze. Their petals are delicate yet elegant. Their “eyes” glow as if they are smiling at the saddest heart. So bright and cheery they are.

Daisies follow a rhythm. They open with the morning light and close again at night. The white petals and golden centers invite us to breathe, soften, and find rest for renewal.

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul.

— Psalm 131:2

The daisy mirrors our souls. As we rise each morning, we are like daisies. Simply fragile. Simply human. We choose to stand in the light to move forward. As we are drawn to the steady stream of light that shines on us through the day.

Daisies remind us that faith is simple. It’s quiet. It’s choosing to stand in the light and trust God to provide rest.

May your soul find rest in the simplicity of God’s love.
May you breathe deeply and trust the gentle rhythms of grace.
May you stand in the light you have today.

*Image Credit: “daisy” by Jon Bunting is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Digging Deeper with Calla Lilies

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome and embrace the presence of God.
Let the calla lily’s funnel remind me to stay open —
to God, to myself, and to others.

Spring is not just a season.
It’s a reawakening.
A time to see.
A time to feel.
A time to experience.
Nature waking after a cold winter’s slumber.

We turn inward.
Toward hope.
Toward grace.
Toward holiness.

Psalm 96:9 reminds us, “Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”

Like a calla lily waiting for the right moment to rise through its tangled tubes, we wait for God’s breath to bring color back into every part of our lives.

And like those lilies, we weave our way through the messes of each day, figuring things out as we go.

Not all at once.
Not in a rush.
But slowly — deliberately —
trusting that clarity will come.

God is untangling us. Refreshing us. Renewing us.

There is no pressure.
No expectation.
Only an invitation.

The calla lily teaches us that reverence begins with a willingness to let God do the untangling, so we can grow in the way we were meant to. Its color reminds us that holiness doesn’t look the same on everyone.
Some of us are quiet.
Some of us are bold.
Some of us are simply ourselves.
And all of it is beautiful.
All of it is welcome.

May you be who you are.
May you grow in grace.
May you feel abundantly loved each and every day.

Image Credit: *“29March2008344” by LukeGordon1 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Sacred Blooms: Calla Lily

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the calla lilies that whisper prayers
as they unfurl in the early spring.
Let them remind me to open my heart
and breathe in gratitude each day.

Fun Fact: Calla lilies originated from Africa. Lovely as they are, they’re not even lilies. And don’t let their beauty fool you. Their flowers are toxic.

Calla lilies.
Graceful and pure.
Slender and elegant.
Rising from deep green leaves,
they lift themselves toward the light
and push through the soil to offer prayers to heaven above.

Calla lilies are summer-blooming bulbs. They grow in confidence as they inch toward their full thirty inches. They are often white, yet they do bloom in various colors. Truly gorgeous.

Their grace is often present in chapels, churches, and other spaces for worship. Their funnel shape reminds us to stay open to what’s coming our way.
To receive what we need from God,
let go of what weighs us down,
and to be present to each moment as a gift.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 96:9

The calla lily invites us to slow down,
to breathe deeply,
to remember that reverence is about presence —
showing up before God with honesty and awe.

May your spirit be open to the sacred.
May you feel God’s grace shine upon you.
May you pause and be present a little more with each passing day.

Image Credit: *“Calla Lillies” by Ani Carrington is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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Digging Deeper with Tulips

A Series from the Psalms

I welcome the light of the morning,
which gives me the strength to rise and answer God’s call.

Tulips respond to light.
Even after they are cut, they continue to stretch, reach, and open.
There is something sacred going on.
A kind of persistence. Do you think?

Psalm 30:5 reminds us that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Morning is not just a time of day.
It is a time when we wake.
We listen.
We hear our heartbeat.
And we turn toward hope. A hope that God is going to do something incredible. Even if we can’t see it yet.

Like a tulip waiting for the right moment to burst through the ground, we wait for God’s hand to guide us through the seasons of life.

Like tulips, we move through seasons of darkness and cold. We have nights that feel long and moments that lack clarity. But God is always working behind the scenes, like in the ground where tulips prepare to bloom.

God is shaping us. Polishing us. Preparing us.

There’s no pressure.
No expectation.
Just an invitation.

The tulip teaches us that beauty is not rushed. Growth is not hurried. And joy—true joy—arrives in its own time, carried by the faithfulness of God. A God that loves us with an everlasting love.

May you feel the warmth of God’s light.
May you grow in the ways you need to grow.
May joy rise in you like morning light and
be full of promise and hope.

*Image Credit: “Assisted Growth” by FeatheredTar*
*is licensed under CC BY 2.0.*

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