According to the calendar, fall has officially made its entrance. It still amazes me to watch nature adjust to the changing seasons. The sun takes longer to wake up. I already miss the early morning on the deck. I personally had to adjust to being in my office to write this morning because it’s too DARK outside to see. I spent last weekend taking care of the summer plants that provided so much enjoyment the last several months. I couldn’t help but reflect on the Poinsettia. They hold so much significance. The picture above is one of my favorites. This was taken in early spring. This plant was on its second year of blooming. It faithfully displayed its red leaves for the Christmas season and held on to them through spring. The latter part of spring found it dropping the red leaves and moving into a time of complete nakedness. I remember my concern the first time the plant started losing its leaves. I thought it was surely meeting its fate. It was telling me it was its season to prepare for the sunshine. The poinsettia will thrive during the summer months UNTIL the fall. Much to my surprise it began to regenerate new and deep green leaves in the places of barrenness during its time on the deck through the summer. This allowed it to store up its strength in the new and healthy leaves. The stems became much hardier and the plant grew in stature. It uses the new storage of strength to endure upcoming season of darkness.
In a few weeks I will move it into the closet where it will spend at least 13 hours a day in total darkness for the next few months. The shortened hours of light and increased time spent in the dark will prepare it for the beauty of the bloom. The time in isolation will prepare it for the deadline it has to meet. The deadline is its predestined purpose it has to fulfill. December will find poinsettias displaying their splendor of color in stores, greenhouses, and many homes. Their season of “being seen” will once again last until spring when they will start the cycle all over again. Each time they gain strength and stature. Their blooms become much larger and more valiant in beauty as they age.
The principle of such a process doesn’t really thrill me but it does make sense. No one really “looks forward to a season of isolation” but if we will take a short time to reflect on those difficult seasons of our lives, we will undoubtedly find that we came out on the other side with a fresh look of new beauty. A beauty that could only be gained in the solitude of refining. It helps to understand that life is a series of eventful growth periods. If we can recognize the season we can make it more productive. If you have found yourself in darkness (especially in 2020) , have no fear. Breathe deep and prepare for the new season that awaits on the horizon. Don’t allow yourself to be slothful with these precious moments of opportunity.
Spend the time of solitude in strength training. Ask yourself the hard questions. What areas of my life need attention? Do I need to “drop some leaves” that no longer serve me? What new things are called to replace the areas of barrenness? Am I prepared to emerge into the light with a humble beauty that is attractive to those around me? Will my time of solitude prove to be a testimony to those who cross my path?
Does grace, humility, and love illuminate from my countenance with each season of my life? And most of all “Am I enjoying the journey?”
I leave you with this encouragement. Explore the process of seasons with your poinsettia! It will quietly show you the many characteristics of life it shares with us. You will find yourself standing taller and stronger and perhaps more beautiful than ever! Folks may just look upon your life and politely ask how you do it? To that you can respond “Follow a Poinsettia”.
Enjoy the Journey – VB
