Today’s blog post is in honor of our very dear precious friends down in Portland – K&P. If there is anyone who embodies “joy” it is this couple! For the past two years this couple has been walking a very difficult journey … yet, all along the way the joy of Jesus has been shining brightly through their lives!
In fact, over the past two years, whenever K has shown up at the hospital for his apts., the nurses won’t check him in until he tells them a joke. That right there is joy!
This past Mother’s Day, my daughter gave me a packet of Gladiolus bulbs. I was delighted! I had never had Gladiolus plants before. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what their blooms even looked like.
I was particularly delighted with my Gladiolus bulbs because they brought to mind a song I used to sing back when I was in high school and college:
“I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart.
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad!
“He has made me glad!
He has made me glad!
I will rejoice for He has made me glad!”
Right away I planted my Gladiolus bulbs in a big pot on the back deck. And I decided that these Gladiolus plants were my K&P plants! Because if anybody embodies joy and gladness, it is K&P!
All throughout May and June I watched the pot in anticipation! I couldn’t wait to see what “gladness” blooms looked like!
Finally, little green sprouts emerged.
Tall slender spiky leaves grew tall. I had no idea Gladiolus leaves looked like that. They are very similar to Iris leaves.
I had assumed the Gladiolus plants would bloom sometime in July … but July marched past and still no blooms. August arrived … and still no blooms.
Finally, as August was nearing its end, a tall bloom spire appeared! Yay!!
And here … “Gladness” blooms at last! Aren’t they stunning!
This is such a beautiful picture of K&P! They radiate so much joy & gladness! Joy because of Jesus!
“In Your presence, God, there is fullness of joy.”
– Psalm 16:11
Joy shining through! Gladness shining through!
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” – Proverbs 4:18
“The light of the righteous shines brightly.” – Proverbs 13:9
Every time I walk through the house and catch sight of the Gladiolus blooms out through the windows, my mind launches into song:
“He has made me glad!
He has made me glad!
I will rejoice for He has made me glad!”
Philippians 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Even in the “fog” of life?? Even when things are really, really hard??
Even when I don’t know which way to go??
And I don’t know what to do??
Or how I’m going to make it through??
Yes … even then.
This is K&P. Even in the hard times. Even in the pain. Even in the “fog” and “rain.” K&P are still radiating the gladness and joy of Jesus! Even then.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. … And the God of peace will be with you.”
– Philippians 4:4-9
As we keep our gaze focused on Jesus … and as we keep our minds focused on what is noble, right, pure, excellent … God Himself will guard us, fill us, and protect us … with His peace!
And God will give us joy!
Joy that radiates! … no matter what!
Gladness that is beautiful!
