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I have a passion vine that has been a prolific bloomer for several years now. This year I built a beautiful trellis up and around the vine to help support its vigorous growth and showcase the multitude of blooms it usually produces through the late summer and fall.
Despite the preferential treatment; the new luxury living and climbing quarters, the watering and feeding schedule and excellent growing conditions, this year the passion vine has failed.
I could go the obvious route and draw the conclusion that the condition of my passion vine is a reflection of my recently and unexpectedly failed relationship; a reflection of passions that have faded and died away. I could also conclude that the sad shape of my vine is a mere echo of the failure I am feeling on the heals of my failed marriage. And yet, today I have noticed that there is more to observe here.
The vine, usually full of lush green leaves, is skeletal this year, its foliage eaten away by some very thorny looking caterpillars. If you look closer, all along the top of the trellis and along the top railing of my fence, there are many cocoons; some spent and empty, others still occupied. Look further and you’ll notice that my backyard is teaming with butterflies!
Today, my passion vine gave me 2 perfect blooms. The blooms only last 1 day and there are no other blossoms in sight. I look at the carnage of the vines surrounds these 2 blooms and I can see that this vine has been a host, nourishing others. It has given up the promise of its showiest prize to feed those who have come to it for sustenance. Those who have fed on the vine have experienced a metamorphosis of their own and now they are spreading their wings and gracing the world with beauty. For this year, in this season, the focus of my passion vine has changed and the fruits of its labor are different.
It is difficult for me to look at this ravaged vine; but oh how I have enjoyed the butterflies! Only God understands His purpose and use for our lives. I can’t help but feel that we have to look beyond the obvious to see His intending blessings. It is not lost on me that I was blessed this morning to find two perfect blossoms and not just one.