On the high fence row outside my bird watching window, I have a very large vine that grows each year all summer long. By the fall it has almost completely taken over the fence and measures about 20 feet long. It probably drives my neighbor nuts, because it is just enormous and overtakes everything on the fence row.
I've noticed every fall that it blooms with little white flowers for just a short period and then fades. It seems to me like way too much work to grow that big for that long to only bloom for a few weeks in the fall. But each year it grows a bit bigger and consumes more and more of the fence.
This year it bloomed when my Mother came to stay with me for a week. I could not help but notice how nice the weather was while she was here and how much she enjoyed just sitting in my backyard.
I've spent the last year transforming my backyard into a quite and beautiful place. I have a wildflower area under my bird feeders and a japanese rock garden with a fountain (for my daughter). My husband built benches and a table for me that work perfect with my string of party lights. We love to have fires together around our fire pit at night. On the patio, we moved a bunch of stones so we could put in a life size checkerboard. (for my son) Then we topped if off with an herb garden and vegetable garden. (for my other 2 kids) All of it creates a wonderful place to be refreshed and God used it to bless my mother.
Today I learned the name of that very large vine. It is a Sweet Autumn Clematis. I am touched that the Lord has tied the blooming of this vine to a memory with my mother. I see that as a kindness of the Lord orchestrated just for me. These are the ways He ministers to me in my sadness. He whispers to me "I am here. I am with you. I see it all and know your tears. Don't be afraid, for I am with her in the valley of the shadow of death. My rod and my staff will comfort her and she will live in the house of the Lord forever."
Thank you Jesus.
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