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Chaplain: The Flowers of May

By Allen Teal, Chaplain

The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12, NIV)

The adage “April showers bring May flowers,” which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, finds its way into many conversations about springtime. Strangely, the Bible has almost nothing good to say about flowers, and rain is usually associated with adversity. In most instances, the Scripture speaks of flowers quickly withering and fading. Still, we can glean a few nuggets from the idea that flowers follow rain.

Storms and rain often travel together.

While farmers may appreciate a good rain at an appropriate time, rain can be more of a problem than a blessing. Spring storms have ruined many picnics, weddings and family outings. Difficult times come to all of us. Longfellow wrote, “Into each life some rain must fall.” The good news is that storms, rain and life’s adversities eventually pass.

Rain is an important part of life.

Our bodies are approximately 60 percent water. Water covers 71 percent of the earth. Only about 3.5 percent of the world’s water is fresh water. God created the world’s atmosphere to rid water of its salinity and return fresh water to us as rain. Areas of earth without rain have become arid and uninhabitable. Without some challenging times, we cease to grow and life becomes far less interesting and enjoyable.

Flowers follow the rain.

The Lord made vegetation need moisture in order to thrive. Showers will always precede flowers. Good things often come to us on the heels of adversity. As we emerge from a deep valley, we can more fully appreciate the grandeur of the mountaintop. If you are going through a rainy season, pay attention to the flowers of life emerging as the clouds begin to part. God turns tragedy into victory, darkness into light and grief into joy. Job in his darkest hour said of the Lord, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10, NIV)

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