Our Michigan cottage is on the edge if a forest. There are advantages to this, such as a lush view and the privacy that comes with heavy foliage. A disadvantage is forest critters ( bugs, mice and chipmunks) who want to be part of our household. After all, they were here first.
For the most part we’re winning over the animals, but the trees of their forest have won over our yard, keeping all sunshine at bay. Because of that, the property is covered with wild English ivy that seems to grow well in the shade. The ivy has taken over flower beds and planters, doing so a long time before we arrived. It’s also crawled over the small lawn. Our sidewalk and patio would be ivy-green, too, if left untrimmed.
But there’s a nice advantage to all that ivy. I don’t need a lawn mower and never have to pull a weed, a delightful change from our old house and its half-acre lot, where summertime demanded hundreds of gardening hours.
Because the tall forest trees are just now getting their leaves, we do get some spring sunshine, making it possible to grow early-blooming bulb flowers. I haven’t planted any, but this week, standing on the front porch, I noticed something unusual. Daffodils!
They were growing in clusters, paper-white with yellow centers, all over one section of the yard. Where had they come from? I had no answer.
Daffodils don’t appear of their own accord, and they’re not wild flowers. They have to be purchased and planted, usually during the weeks of autumn in order to get blossoms the following spring. Did someone secretly plant those bulbs last fall while our family was buried beneath the woes of pancreatic cancer? Were they thinking that after the harsh winter months it might be nice to have this dramatic spring encouragement?
I’ve asked a number of people if they were the landscaping conspirators but haven’t yet come up with any identities. Whoever sunk those bulbs must have privately enjoyed that secret all winter. And their plan worked. When I look out the window and see that multitude of daffodils waving in the breeze, I feel very loved.
Whoever you are, I thank you!
”Sow with a view to righteousness. Reap in accordance with kindness.” (Hosea 10:12a)
WOW! I wonder who planted them! We (Maria, Susan & I) wanted to do it, but weren’t able to. I’m glad someone did though, because it accomplished what we had hoped. 🙂 It is good to know that the bulbs will bloom even with all that ivy!!
A daffodil drive-by perpetrated by Bethany Bulb Bandits?? What is your neighborhood coming to!?
Oh, the sweet smell and beauty of secret grace. Obviously your benefactor(s)wanted to hide so as not to obscure the ultimate source.
James 1:16-17 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Perhaps another possibility is that you have some neighbors who were hoping for more daffodils than they have gotten. However, those pesky squirrels dug up some of the bulbs and buried them somewhere else so they could snack on them at another time. Meanwhile, they are giving the picture of something buried producing new life. Enjoy your gift.
Hi Margaret,
I have thought about your daffodils all day as I have been working in the yard. Terrific idea and I am sure the florist is sitting back with a big smile right now knowing their gift has come to fruition. Jesus was like that- just sort of quietly giving some good thing, like the best wine at the wedding- I wonder if He gave a wink and a shhh to the waiters when they tasted it. I like Al and Jo’s description- secret grace.
May He lavish it on you,
Terry
That little red squirrel must really have been busy obeying God and burying his treasure in your yard to show His love and creativeness. Enjoy the beauty.