Carole Bystrom

Iris in the Snow Carole Bystrom

In the midst of our sorrows, we often feel life spinning out of control, certain God has abandoned us. We cry out unto the Lord and wonder why He seems to have turned away. We rationalize His silence by looking at our own failures, but nothing is further from the truth of God's unconditional love. No matter how hopeless and alone we feel, God always has a plan. In the end, nothing is a coincidence. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). The noise of our fear, anxiety, and despair drowns out His tender words of comfort, leaving us in dark, lonely valleys. Even so, while we muffle His voice, He is still there, quietly revealing His faithfulness. He longs to lead us out of the darkness and set our feet on new mountain tops. Be still. Watch. Listen. The melody of His love echoes in the beauty of His creation. Jesus gently reminds us, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these (Matthew 6:28). Even the smallest flowers sing His praise. Iris in the Snow is the true story of how God is always working to help us rebuild our lives and shows how He reveals His sacred presence. In this case, it is through one beautiful flower, an iris. Whether a single, unexpected bloom in the middle of winter or in a whole spring bouquet, the iris bursts through the mud, lifts its voice, and joyfully proclaims, "God is here. He loves you." Believe. Only believe.