Blossoming flowers, emerging buds, growing grasses – springtime is a wonderful, colourful time, lifting our spirits in celebration of the new life all around us. One of the signs of spring that I love here at the Bield is the sight of our beautiful magnolia tree in the walled garden bursting with an abundance of flowers. I lived for six years in the deep south of the USA, in the state of Louisiana. The state flower of Louisiana is the magnolia and since that time I have loved magnolias. Springtime in Louisiana was always a profusion of magnolia trees blooming - delicate pinks, iridescent whites, deep fuchsias, pale lemons - a glorious sight!
Magnolia trees are known for their toughness. They have a long history and thrive in diverse environments all over the world. Because they have existed for millions of years, they’ve gathered many spiritual and cultural meanings, among them the traits of perseverance and endurance. These are Christian traits too.
“Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and God’s approval creates hope.” Romans 5:1, 3-5
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
We live in difficult times. Many would say, despite the beauty all around us, we live in a broken and hurting world. Sometimes we can despair of the violence, suffering, poverty, and injustice. But Christ invites us to endure and to persevere, to find the inner resilience that enables us to journey on with him in hope - hope that the world and our lives can be healed and new life blossom once more.
Perhaps, whether here at the Bield or elsewhere, when you gaze upon the magnificent magnolia, you will be able to summon from her the gifts of endurance and perseverance and draw them deep into your soul as courage and hope for yourself and our world.
Valerie