Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
One of our family traditions is a few days in the mountains of West Virginia at a place called Blackwater Falls State Park. We have been here at every season, and it always is refreshing and renewing to us. In recent years we have tried to time our visit with the blossoming of wild rhododendrons, usually the week after the Fourth of July. It always amazes me to see these beautiful white and light pink blossoms in bloom throughout the forest floor.
This year I was anticipating the break in the mountains as a welcome respite from the noise around us – noise about actions being taken against immigrants, noise about increased conflict around the world, noise about the changes affecting the federal work force, noise about our own transition time as a church. Peace and quiet and calm were welcome. And I expected to see a decent amount of those beautiful rhododendrons.
As we drove onto the park toward the lodge we saw abundance. This is definitely the most prolific showing of rhododendrons I’ve ever seen. I realized the gift of grace we had been given – abundance in creation.
Rhododendrons can stretch up toward the sunlight for well over seven feet. The roots are intertwined on the forest floor providing a base for growth.
I started to think that we have our roots in God’s love intertwined with one another and holding us up. Our blooming surface grows tall – or full – or both – or beginning growth. And, as the rhododendrons reflect the sunlight, so do we reflect God’s love.
This week I am grateful to be present to witness such abundance. And to realize no matter how tangled up we may feel, or lost in a wilderness, God offers us the grace of abundance and the promise that we will be given the power necessary to overcome that which entangles us. Showers of Blessings – Abundant Grace.
– Rev. Clara
Leave a Reply