Springing, Part Two: Up.

Wisteria. And a Utility Pole ...

The Incredible Sweetness of Being, Part Seven

After I nearly missed the plum flowers, I made wisteria my priority. Our neighbor, down at the corner of the main road, grows wisteria along the fence line protecting the orchards from the deer, and whatever else threatens orchards. It is abloom now, the wisteria, which grows only to sashay along a fence line.

I park my truck, grab my camera, and step down onto gravel. The ridiculous luxury of springtime teases my nostrils. I sidle in closer to these hussies, flaunting their depraved color and tempting scent, and I inhale, inviegled by their shameless display.

Wisteria, Up Close.

Beyond these wanton blooms stands the orchard. Stately trees in trustworthy lines devote their efforts to fruit. They flower, yes, but not now. And their blossoms are restrained, dedicated to a purpose. The flagrant wisteria tangle along its borders.

Orderly Trees Beyond a Knot of Wisteria.

I've never looked up before, turning this corner. I know the view framed by truck window, passing by at speed. Up isn't a direction I look when I'm driving. Today the wisteria takes me by the line of sight and ushers me up.

Wisteria, Pointing Up.

The floozy flowers lead my eye and looking up I see them brave. They climb and climb, wafting extravagant scent beyond my nose's reach. I wonder if the sparrows and the hawks smell their perfume up there, suspect it's all glorious abundance.

It's all Him. He made these flowers with their lavender dripping down like honey on grapes. He bestowed their scent, costly beyond my earthbound means, a gift. It's spring.

And all I have to do is stop. And look up.  I see now, for a moment, at least. His provision, His abundance, surrounds me. It is good to stop and breathe. It is good to be.

Wisteria Climbing High.

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet  your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ²⁷ And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸ And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:26-33 (NASB)

My word for 2012 is "be." You can find other posts in this series here.

Sharing today with L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone for On, In, and Around Mondays (up is a place, right?)

And with Laura Bogess at The Wellspring for Playdates with God.

I hope you'll visit these communities. I think they'll delight you.