Seeds of Hope

Photo by Dominicus Johannes Bergsma 2013

I recently dreamed that I was walking in a public garden, but it was late fall, and nothing was in bloom. I was sad because what had been beautiful, lush blooms on my previous visit were now shriveled and brown. Even the plants that bore them were withered and gray.

I was surprised to spot an aster head that still had a few lavender petals attached, and many seeds within it. I walked from plant to plant, digging holes with a large twig, and scattering a few aster seeds in each hole before I covered them over with dirt. 

But then I realized that each plant was labeled with a marker identifying its specific genus and species, and that none of them were asters except for the one from which I had gathered the seeds. I began to regret my attempts at replanting, as the asters might grow, but possibly at the risk of overtaking the plant designated for each space. 

When I awoke and thought about the symbolism of the dream, I was reminded of a passage we had read in our daily devotions a few days earlier, which included the Mosaic Law about not planting a field with more than one kind of seed (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:9). This regulation is not repeated in the New Testament, indicating that it is no longer intended to be followed by God’s people, in contrast to laws such as to honor your parents (Exodus 20:12), repeated not only by Jesus (Matthew 15:4-6) but also by the apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:2-3). 

So what was the interpretation of the dream? The largely dead garden reminded me of the times the world is now going through as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Not only have there been many actual deaths, but also sickness, suffering and financial loss that tend to kill hope within the spirits of all those afflicted and their families and loved ones. 

Whether or not we are personally affected in this way, all of us mourn many aspects of our lives that have entered a dormant phase giving the outward appearance of death. Because of the lockdown, we are unable to continue many of our usual activities, work, school, church attendance, and even seeing our extended family, loved ones and communities. 

Even many of our ministries appear to have died off, or at least to be suspended in an indefinite limbo. Many believers who serve in church will be unable to do so until the doors reopen, and the nature of this service may change dramatically. 

Choirs, for example, are mourning the loss of corporate music, as the breath flow involved in singing is particularly dangerous even when the singers are distanced far apart one from another. The arts and entertainment fields are likely to be among the last to reopen, leaving my husband and me wondering if our dance ministry will ever again enjoy performance opportunities. 

Missionaries are particularly affected because of travel restrictions, lockdowns preventing door-to-door visits, and public suspicion regarding tracts or other literature that might harbor virus particles. The Gideons had to suspend placement of Bibles in hotel rooms and other Scripture distributions. 

Yet God will not allow His work to cease (Romans 12:10-12), and will give new life to our ministries, although these may be transformed from what they once were. Gardens appear to be dead in winter, and yet we know that they will bloom again in due season, according to His perfect will and timing (Genesis 1:14; Psalm 104:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). 

The aster in the dream seems to me to represent the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save us from our sins (Romans 3:25). The name “aster” means star, and He is the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) Who appears just before dawn, when all is at its darkest. The purple color of the aster reminds me of His royalty, for He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Who will one day, soon I pray and believe, return in all His glory (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). 

The golden center of the aster reminds me of a King’s crown, again referring to the royalty of Christ, Who is light (1 John 1:5), with the spike-shaped petals radiating as beams of light from the sun. The apostle Peter writes that the testing of our faith by trials of fire, such as the trial of coronavirus that is now testing all peoples and nations, will be found to be more precious than gold when He rewards us at His return (1 Peter 1:7). Interestingly, in ancient times, asters were placed on the graves of dead French soldiers as an expression of longing for an end to battle, and they are said to symbolize qualities of wisdom, faith and bravery. 

When Christ returns, all who have been saved by trusting in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6) will rise in glorified bodies and see Christ face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), and we shall be as He is! Death has no more victory and is replaced by eternal life! (1 Corinthians 15:51-57) 

Death, or at least suspended animation, may seem to prevail in our current circumstances. But let us always remember that God uses times of seeming inactivity to prepare a seed to break through the soil and grow into a plant bearing much fruit ((1 Corinthians 15:35-36; John 12:24). Nine months of new life go by enshrouded in darkness as He knits together the limbs and body of each unique being (Psalm 139:13-16), made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).

We must die to sin and self (Romans 8:13) before we can be born again as God’s children (John 3:3-8). The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Even as believers we must die daily to our fleshly desires to allow full expression of the new life, the Holy Spirit, within us (1 Corinthians 15:31). Even as we grow weary, we must not give up or lose hope, for in due season we will reap the reward of our labors (Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58). 

In the dream, planting aster seeds alongside each plant reminds me that our ministries, and all that we do, will flourish again only if He is an integral part of it. The Old Testament law to keep crop varieties separate is no longer in effect, and many blessings may spring from working together, each with our different God-given talents and abilities (1 Corinthians 12). If we sow the seed of His Word (Matthew 3) in the hearts of those we encounter, their lives will blossom and bring forth much fruit! (John 15:5-8).

The nature of how we plant these seeds may differ now, relying more on phone, written or online communication and less on in-person encounters. But God’s Word, no matter how it is scattered, will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11). If we are faithful and persevering to plant no matter what the season (Proverbs 20:4), we will reap a bountiful harvest and be rewarded by our Lord saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

© 2020 Laurie Collett

Remembering “Baba” – A Proverbs 31 Grandmother

May we all have a blessed Mother's Day, remembering and giving thanks for all the women in our lives who have inspired, encouraged, supported and loved us. For me, that includes all of you ladies, and especially Baba, my grandmother! Hope you enjoy this repost from the archives.

Marya, my mother's mother, was born in a small village near Kiev, Ukraine. As a young girl and teen she was said to be the best folk dancer in her village! Judging from the lavishly decorated, traditional tea towels, aprons and blouses she made and my mother still had decades later, she was also a talented and creative artist. As a special treat on rainy days in childhood, I was allowed to open the steamer trunk containing these linens, their once bright red and purple embroidery faded to maroon and tan, yet still rich in their intricate designs.

When she was 16, Marya fell in love and emigrated to Canada with her husband, a mining engineer, leaving her family and country and following him with the faithfulness of Ruth (1:16-17). They had a hard life in blustery Nova Scotia, and although she gave birth to 10 children, including three sets of twins, my mother was the only one who survived past infancy. The others died from pneumonia or other infections, as antibiotics were not yet available. 

Her husband died suddenly when he was 35, probably from a brain aneurysm, two weeks after telling her that he would die soon because he had seen Jesus. Yet she was faithful to God through it all, praying to Jesus, drawing strength from her faith in Him, and serving Him even in the trials (1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1; Galatians 6:9: Psalm 27:13).  

Although she had never learned to read, write, or speak much English, Marya and my mother moved to New York City shortly thereafter. Marya worked very hard in a bakery in the lower East Side, and became an active and loyal member in the sisterhood of the local Russian Orthodox church. Although she made hardly any money, she scrimped and saved to fund the purchase of a beautiful, full wall mural of Ruth gleaning in Boaz' field (Ruth 2:8) for her church. Her humble home was always open for hospitality, and she was always ready to give generously to those in need (Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:15-19; Mark 9:41; Matthew 6:20). 

When my mother married, she moved to a small town in Pennsylvania where my dad worked. Seven years later, when I was born, my parents invited my grandmother to come live with her in the new house they were building so she could help raise me. Imagine their surprise when they went to pick her up at the train station and she was carrying an unassuming satchel containing $10,000 in small bills -- nearly a fortune in those days -- to help with the down payment on the house!

While awaiting my arrival, she cooked, cleaned, and made a huge pair of down-filled pillows for my parents, complete with crocheted-trim linen pillowcases! 

When I learned to speak, I called her “Baba,” the Ukrainian pet term for grandmother, or old woman (“babushka”). She did so much more than help to raise me -- she was a great role model of faith and prayer (Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 119:10-11). One of my earliest memories is seeing and hearing her pray out loud in her bedroom, where she kept a framed picture of the Last Supper by a portrait of her husband, and singing the Russian version of “Come, Thou Almighty King.” She was not afraid to discipline me in love when I needed it (Proverbs 22:67; 29:15; 13:20). 

One winter vacation in the then-small town of Hollywood, FL, when I was six, Baba spotted a couple of vacant lots in the middle of nowhere and insisted she wanted to buy them "to pay for Laurie's education." Despite the concerned, well-meant advice of my parents, she went ahead and purchased these lots for a song. Ultimately, when Hollywood became a busy and popular tourist destination, proceeds of those lots paid in full for my medical school education! 

While leaving me this inheritance, she left me far more -- her shining example of faith and love that can't be measured by worldly standards of education, income and position. Not to mention my penchant for dance and for real estate! When, as a 14-year-old, I helped to care for her in the end stages of stroke and Alzheimer's, she inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in neurology and in dementia research. 

Decades after her death, I trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, by His grace through my faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). No doubt my heart had been softened to the Gospel by her example of faith, love and prayer.

Marya was a true Proverbs 31 woman who blessed her children, her husband, and all those in her household, community, and sphere of influence (v. 12). She was virtuous (v. 10), faithful (v. 11), hard-working (v. 13-16, v. 27), morally and physically strong (v. 17), generous and charitable (v. 20), She had a realistic opinion about herself (v. 18), provided for her family through her hard work and planning (v. 21, 24), and enhanced the reputation of her husband (v. 23). She was kind, speaking the truth in love (v. 26). 

How can we become a Proverbs 31 woman, whose family and community recognize that the blessings she gives them are priceless? (v.10, 28, 29). Not by relying on our social skills or our physical charms, but by fearing the Lord – by putting His will for our life ahead of all else (v.30; Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:29-30; Philippians 3:8-11). 

May we respect, honor (Exodus 20:12) and cherish our mothers, grandmothers and sisters, by blood or in Christ, while they are yet with us, and may we learn from their Godly legacy of faith, sacrificial love, and service (Proverbs 22:6;6:20; 29: 15; 1 Timothy 5: 5; 2 Timothy 1:5-6; Psalm 103:17). May they inspire us to give such an example and leave such a legacy for those following us! 

© 2013 Laurie Collett

Edited and reposted from the archives

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

 

Puzzled?

Photo by Piero 2005

As the King of Siam sang to governess Anna in the musical, “The King and I,” sometimes life is a puzzlement!

 

Even as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) who have been saved by our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we often struggle to make sense of the few puzzle pieces God allows us to see in His grand mural of life. Coronavirus, causing more US deaths thus far than the Vietnam War; worldwide famine; unprecedented restrictions on personal activities, church attendance, work and school; global financial crisis – how can any of this be justified in a world governed by our loving God? 

 

One of the items in great demand during this pandemic is jigsaw puzzles, as many find it therapeutic to work with their hands when they are in isolation. We can't control the pandemic, but fitting puzzle pieces together may be reassuring, supporting the illusion that we can control at least some aspect of our lives. I believe that's why so many have cleaned out and reorganized their closets and garages during this time of sheltering in place! Even the waiting rooms in our Iocal cancer center recently had tables filled with jigsaw puzzles in various stages of completion, although that may have changed now that more rigorous sanitizing measures are in place. 

 

It reminds me of the complex jigsaw puzzles my mother, grandmother and I used to work on when I was a child. Upon tearing open the box, we thought we faced an impossible challenge, as the sea of tiny pieces seemed to have no relationship to one another. 

 

Yet we know that with God there are no unrelated incidents nor coincidences. He has a specific plan for each of His children (Jeremiah 29:11) that He designed from before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:16; Ephesians 1:5,11) , and He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). 

 

As we embarked on the puzzle construction, we scrambled to find the corner pieces, each of which set the structure for two borders of the puzzle. Jesus Christ is our Cornerstone, the firm Foundation Who gives structure, purpose and meaning to our life (Isaiah 28:16). 

 

Next we looked for the straight-edged pieces, for these would form the boundaries that determined the size and shape of the completed puzzle. It was easier finding good fits for these than for irregularly shaped pieces, because the straight edges had to align together. Similarly, God’s law sets boundaries for our life that ensure we will live out the days He intended for us, and that things will go well for us in accordance with His perfect plan (Deuteronomy 5:16. Ephesians 6:2; Matthew 22:36-40).

 

Even once the boundaries were in place, assembling the remaining pieces would be a daunting challenge were it not for the box lid showing the image of the completed puzzle! This showed us whether it was a landscape, with structures such as a red barn indicating where most of the red pieces would go, or a pond where the pieces with wavy blue-green patterns would find their home. 

 

God’s Word is like the box lid, showing us what a life pleasing to God looks like, and how we should order and place our worship, service, human relationships, work and rest within each day He so graciously gives us (Proverbs 3:5-6). We ignore it at our peril, finding out all too late that we have wasted time, effort and resources on trying to cram fragments of our life into areas where they don’t belong (Proverbs 16:9), if we fail to put God first (Colossians 1:18). 

 

We may try to fit ourselves into a relationship, career or opportunity that seems right to us, but if God did not ordain it, the connection will be no better than trying to jam together two puzzle pieces not designed to align with one another (2 Corinthians 6:14). Even worse, the wrong fit will block both pieces from finding their true bond. 

 

Sometimes as we sorted through the remaining puzzle pieces we identified an unusual piece, perhaps bearing a facial feature like the ear of a girl dabbling her toes in the pond. The uniqueness of this detail meant that there was only one place it would fit, and we had a clear sense of direction in placing it there. 

 

Sometimes God sends us an unmistakable sign, whether through His Word (Psalm 119:105), a sermon, a dream (Genesis 31:11; 37:5), Godly counsel (Proverbs 27:17), or His handiwork in nature (Psalm 19:1). If we listen to His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), we can have the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that He has directed us in accordance with His perfect will. 

 

But what about those days when it seems like we have to work on the puzzle from the reverse side, where everything looks the same, with no clues? Or what about times when our life seems like one of those demonic puzzles that is painted solid red? Even in these trials when life seems to make no sense at all (1 Peter 4:12-14), we can rely on our Cornerstone and His boundaries to order our understanding. He is not the Author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). 

 

We completed many such puzzles when I was a young girl, sliding them onto poster-size cardboard and stacking them under the bed. But the puzzle of my life, with the beautiful picture God intended for my life since before the beginning of time, may never be completed, whether Jesus calls me home tomorrow (James 4:14) or blesses me with many more years on earth (Psalm 90:10). Christ Himself finished the work His Father gave Him to do (John 17:4; Hebrews 4:3), but I believe that most if not all of us will fall short of that goal. 

 

Whether working on jigsaw puzzles or living the life God appointed to us, it does seem to fall into place more clearly the further we go. We see connections that previously eluded us, and we can build on the work we have done under His direction, on the truths He has revealed through His Holy Spirit, and especially on Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:10).   

 

In the meantime, may we redeem the time for His purposes (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5), order our days by following His Word, and trust that the Master Designer has a perfect plan even when all we see is disjointed fragments of the puzzle!

 

 

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Updated and reposted from the archives